The Western Denmark Cardiac Computed Tomography Registry: a review and validation study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Informatics
• Public Health

Background:

• Established in 2008, the Western Denmark Cardiac Computed Tomography Registry (WDHR-CCTR) functions as a subregistry to the Western Denmark Heart Registry (WDHR).
• Its primary goal is to monitor and enhance the quality of cardiac computed tomography (CT) procedures in Western Denmark.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the content, data quality, and research utility of the WDHR-CCTR.
• To assess the completeness and validity of registered cardiac CT procedures and associated variables.

Main Methods:

• Data from 2008-2012 were analyzed for content and completeness.
• Completeness of procedure registration was compared against the Danish National Patient Registry.
• Completeness of variable registration was assessed by comparing observed versus expected numbers.
• Positive and negative predictive values were calculated for 19 key patient and procedure variables.

Main Results:

• Nearly 22,000 cardiac CTs were registered by December 2012, with coronary CT angiography accounting for 87%.
• Overall procedure completeness was 72% compared to the Danish National Patient Registry, but coronary CT angiography completeness exceeded 90%.
• Individual variable completeness varied, but exceeded 85% for over 70% of variables, with high positive (overall 97%) and negative (overall 99%) predictive values.

Conclusions:

• The WDHR-CCTR facilitates prospective registration of all cardiac CTs in Western Denmark since 2008.
• The registry data demonstrate high completeness and validity.
• The WDHR-CCTR is a valuable asset for clinical epidemiological research.