The multiparametric CV magnetic resonance (CMR) showed high diagnostic accuracy when compared to standard single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for identifying coronary heart disease (CHD) in a CE-MARC trial.
The prospective trial enrolled patients with suspected angina pectoris and at least one CV risk factor and then were scheduled for invasive X-ray coronary angiography.
The results demonstrated that 39% of the 752 patients included in the study had significant CHD as identified by X-ray angiography.
CMR demonstrated significantly better sensitivity (86.5% vs. 66.5%; P<.0001) and negative predictive value (90.5% vs. 79.1%; P<.0001) for diagnosing CHD compared with SPECT.
Study researchers said the findings of CE-MARC support the wider adoption of CMR for the diagnosis and management of stable CHD patients, in concern of the cancer risk associated with medical source ionizing radiation.