Simplified Bernoulli Formula to Diagnose Ischemia-Causing Stenosis at Coronary CT Angiography: Comparison with SPECT

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic performance of estimated energy loss (EEL) calculated using a simplified Bernoulli formula at coronary computed tomography (CT) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to diagnose ischemia-causing stenosis by invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR). Methods: We retrospectively included 43 patients who underwent coronary CT, SPECT, and FFR measurement by catheter within 3 months. When an intermediate stenosis (40% -70%) was present at CT, EEL was calculated using the following parameters: lesion length, diameter stenosis, minimal lumen area, and the myocardial volume. An EEL > 1.17 or diameter stenosis > 70% was determined ischemic. Stress-induced ischemia by SPECT was determined when a perfusion defect at stress was accompanied with a fill-in at rest. An FFR ≤ 0.80 or diameter stenosis >70 % was determined as ischemic by catheter. Results: A total of 26 vessels were determined as ischemic by catheter exam. The per-vessel sensitivity and specificity of EEL and SPECT were 81% vs 42% and 92% vs 91%, respectively. The accuracy of EEL to diagnose stenosis causing ischemia was significantly higher than SPECT (90% vs 81%, p = 0.04). The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristics curve was also significantly higher for EEL than SPECT (0.86 vs 0.67, p < 0.005). Conclusions: EEL showed higher accuracy than SPECT to diagnose ischemia-causing stenosis by improving the sensitivity.