Is the CCTA a substitute for a conventional angiogram?
A noninvasive CCTA offers excellent diagnostic imaging of the coronary vessels themselves and in some ways is superior to conventional angiography. However, if there is a high likelihood of significant coronary disease based on history, laboratory and clinical findings, conventional angiography may often be a better choice. This is particularly true for acute chest pain interventions and for patients who are likely to need angioplasty or stent placement. Thus the CCTA is not a substitute or replacement for a conventional angiogram. CCTA is typically used for the early detection of coronary artery disease.
