Contemporary, non-invasive imaging diagnosis of chronic coronary artery disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major global health burden, leading to significant morbidity and mortality.
• While CAD can manifest acutely, it frequently presents as a chronic, stable condition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of diagnosing chronic coronary artery disease.
• To focus on the role and comparison of various cardiac imaging modalities.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on cardiac imaging for CAD diagnosis.
• Discussion of CT coronary angiography, stress echocardiogram, SPECT, PET, and cardiac MRI.
• Comparative analysis of anatomical versus functional imaging tests.

Main Results:

• Cardiac imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosing chronic coronary artery disease.
• CT coronary angiography offers anatomical detail, while stress echocardiography provides functional information.
• Artificial intelligence shows potential for enhancing diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis of chronic coronary artery disease relies heavily on appropriate cardiac imaging selection.
• A combination of anatomical and functional imaging may be optimal for patient stratification.
• Future directions include integrating AI into cardiac imaging workflows for improved CAD management.