Latest Study says there is a change in the diagnosis and management for patients for patients with supposed angina because of coronary heart disease, computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA).

David E. Newby, MD, PhD, from the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom, and colleagues examined the impact of CTCA on diagnosis, management, and outcome in patients with suspected angina due to coronary heart disease.

Participants, aged 18 to 75 years, were referred to a secondary care cardiology clinic for the evaluation of suspected angina due to coronary heart disease. Following initial clinic consultation, 4,146 participants were randomly assigned to receive standard care or standard care plus CTCA.

At baseline, 47% of participants had a diagnosis of coronary heart disease and 36% had a diagnosis of angina due to coronary heart disease, the researchers found. At 6 weeks, among those undergoing CTCA, the initial diagnosis of coronary heart disease was reclassified in 27% and the initial diagnosis of angina due to coronary heart disease was reclassified in 23%, compared with reclassification in 1% for each of these diagnoses among those who received standard care alone.

Alterations in plans for subsequent testing occurred in 15% of patients receiving CTCA and 1% of those receiving standard care alone. A change in treatment was seen in 23% and 5%, respectively.

“What was very clear from the findings is it can help guide which test to do next, which procedures or drugs to give, and ultimately help prevent heart attacks,” Newby said in a statement.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to Toshiba Medical Systems and/or companies producing contrast media.