Diagnostic Performance of CT-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve in Australian Patients Referred for Invasive Coronary Angiography.

Background: Non-invasive computed tomography (CT)-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) is computed from standard coronary CT angiography (CTA) datasets and provides accurate vessel-specific ischaemia assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). To date, the technique and its diagnostic performance has not been verified in the Australian clinical context. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the diagnostic performance of FFR and CTA for the detection of vessel-specific ischaemia as determined by invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the Australian patient population.

Coronary artery disease in East and South Asians: differences observed on cardiac CT.

Epidemiological studies have observed East Asians (EAs) are significantly less likely to develop or die from coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with Caucasians. Conversely South Asians (SAs) develop CAD at higher rate and earlier age. Recently, a range of features derived from cardiac CT have been identified which may further characterise ethnic differences in CAD.

Coronary artery calcium in primary prevention.

Background: Identifying high-risk asymptomatic individuals remains the cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention. Coronary artery calcium is a highly specific marker of atherosclerosis that can be quantified using non-contrast computed tomography. The resulting calcium score has the capacity to improve current methods of risk stratification.