Aim: Selective coronary angiography is nowadays the gold standard in the definition of coronary anatomy as well as the basis for percutaneous coronary interventions. However, the diagnostic accuracy of coronary angiography can be reduced if the number of angiographic views is inadequate or if the operator does not select appropriate projections. Rotational angiography (RA) has been proposed as an alternative technique in order to provide a more complete definition of coronary anatomy reducing, at the same time, radiation exposure and contrast medium dose.
Methods: We randomly assigned 31 eligible patients, undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization, to RA (n=16) and traditional angiography (TA, n=15). Total procedural time, fluoroscopy time, number of cine-runs, X-ray dose and contrast medium volume were recorded in both groups.
Results: There were no statistically significant differences between groups in age (59+/-5.8 vs 62.8+/-9.6 years, P=ns), body mass index (26.7+/-3.5 vs 27.1+/-3.4 kg/m2, P=ns), total procedural time (20.6+/-6.6 vs 22.2+/-11.3 min, P=ns) and fluoroscopy time (3.9+/-1.5 vs 4.9+/-1.8 min, P=ns). On the contrary, number of cine-runs, X-ray dose and contrast medium volume were significantly lower in RA patients as compared with TA patients (6.2+/-1.2 vs 9.7+/-2.1, P<0.01; 530.6+/-271.6 vs 831.2+/-343.9 mGy, P<0.05; 76.9+/-22.4 vs 102.9+/-26.4 ml, P<0.01, respectively).
Conclusions: RA is safe and effective in defining coronary anatomy, leading to a significant reduction in radiation exposure and contrast medium volume.