Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026
Standardized Rat Coronary Ring Preparation and Real-Time Recording of Dynamic Tension Changes Along Vessel Diameter
Published on: June 16, 2022
[Yield of a coronary arteriography database. A study of 5.536 registrations at the cardiologic laboratory,
Jan Bech1, Jan Kyst Madsen, Erik Jørgensen
1Kardiologisk laboratorium, Hjertecentret, H:S Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 København ø.
Insights
A clinical database of coronary arteriography (CAG) effectively stores patient data. This valuable resource reveals that angina severity doesn't always predict which patients need life-prolonging bypass surgery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Health Informatics
- Clinical Databases
Background:
- Coronary arteriography (CAG) is a valuable yet costly diagnostic tool with inherent risks.
- Evaluating existing CAG databases is crucial for optimizing resource utilization and patient care.
- A comprehensive database can enhance the understanding and management of coronary artery disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility and information content of a clinical database for coronary arteriography.
- To analyze data from 5536 CAG procedures registered between April 1999 and September 2000.
- To explore the database's potential for improving clinical decision-making and administrative processes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of all coronary arteriography (CAG) registrations from a single center's database.
- Inclusion of data from April 1999 to September 2000.
- Examination of indications for CAG, including stable and acute coronary artery disease.
Main Results:
- A total of 5536 CAG procedures were analyzed.
- Stable coronary artery disease accounted for 52.0% of indications, while acute ischaemic heart disease was 25.5%.
- Significant findings included left main coronary stenosis or three-vessel disease in 42.4% of CCS class 4 angina patients and 24.4% of CCS class 1 patients.
Conclusions:
- Clinical databases effectively store comprehensive patient information, enabling enhanced data analysis and visualization.
- The database highlighted that angina severity (CCS class) is not a reliable indicator for identifying patients who would benefit most from coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
- The database provides valuable clinical and administrative data for medical training, outcome evaluation, and operational planning.
Introduction:
Coronary arteriography (CAG) is an expensive investigation that provides potentially valuable information, but also carries a risk of severe complications. It is therefore natural to examine the usefulness of an existing database on CAG.
Methods:
The analysis covers all registrations of CAG entered into the database at the Heart Centre at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, from April 1999 to September 2000.
Results:
Altogether, 5536 CAGs were registered. The indication was stable coronary artery disease in 52.0% and acute ischaemic heart disease in 25.5%. As an example of the medical information available from the data base, it is notable that left main coronary stenosis or three-vessel disease, conditions in which coronary bypass surgery increases long-term survival, was found in 42.4% of patients with angina pectoris in Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) class 4, but also in 24.4% of patients in CCS class 1.
Discussion:
Clinical databases, such as the one presented, can ensure that all relevant information is stored, and in this case even results in enhanced effectiveness, because data may be directly transformed into other formats, such as charts. The database furthermore provides clinical information, for instance that the severity of angina pectoris cannot identify the most ill patients in whom a CABG is potentially life-prolonging. In addition, the database provides administrative data that is used in the training of doctors, evaluation of referral patterns, surveillance of complications, and in the daily administration and planning.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...