Diagnostic Accuracy of Selective Coronary Cinearteriography

Abstract

The premortem selective coronary cinearteriograms of 29 patients who subsequently died of their underlying disease have been compared to findings at postmortem examination. Only three errors of functional significance were found. Possible sources of these errors were analyzed. The most important single factor in determining the accuracy was the radiographic quality of the arteriogram. The data support the conclusion that selective coronary cinearteriography is a highly accurate means of evaluating the morphology of both normal and diseased coronary vessels, but high quality arteriograms and experienced interpreters are required.