Benefits and drawbacks of CT scan as a triple rule-out exam in acute chest pain to exclude acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary embolism and aortic dissection

Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris). 2023 Sep 11;72(5):101641. doi: 10.1016/j.ancard.2023.101641. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTChest pain is one of the major causes for admission in the Emergency Room in most countries and one of the principal reasons for urgent consultation with a cardiologist or a general practitioner. After clinical examination and initial biological measurements, substantial patients require further explorations. CT scan allows the search for pulmonary embolism in the early stage of pulmonary arteries iodine contrast exploration. During the same exam at the systemic arterial phase, the search for aortic dissection or coronary artery disease is possible while exploring the later contrast in the aortic artery. This triple rule-out exam allows correct diagnosis in case of acute chest pain with suspected pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection and other acute aortic syndromes or acute coronary syndrome. But X-rays are substantially increased as well as iodine contrast agent quantity while exam quality is globally decreased. Artificial intelligence may play an important role in the development of this protocol.PMID:37703710 | DOI:10.1016/j.ancard.2023.101641
Source: Annales de Cardiologie et d'Angeiologie - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research