Effect of coronary stenosis diameter on variability of on-line quantitative and qualitative arteriography

This study assessed the impact of stenosis diameter on the variability of on-line second generation quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA) and on visual coronary analysis (VCA). Lesions (140) were evaluated by two methods: quantitative, using an Automated Coronary Analysis package, and visual, by three independent observers, from whom the estimates were averaged. Lesions were divided into groups according to the magnitude of computerized measured diameter of stenosis. The study demonstrated that variability of QCA and VCA depends upon the severity of the stenosis. The greater the diameter of the coronary lesion, the greater the variability of both quantitative and qualitative assessment and the greater the variability between the two methods.