Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is an effective alternative to SPECT imaging for diagnosing and planning treatment of stable chest pain, according to study results published December 5 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Results from the Randomized Evaluation of Patients with Stable Angina Comparing Utilization of Noninvasive Examinations (RESCUE) Trial showed that patients with the condition who underwent CCTA as the first diagnostic imaging test showed no difference in outcomes compared with those who underwent SPECT.
The results offer "further evidence in support of a coronary computed tomographic angiography first strategy for the diagnosis and management of patients presenting with symptoms of stable angina," according to a statement released by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
The study was funded by the ACR's American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) Fund for Imaging Innovation and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
![Axial images from unenhanced calcium score cardiac CT (left) and curved planar reformation images from CT angiography (right) show that higher long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with greater coronary artery calcium and more obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Top row: Images in a 68-year-old male patient with higher 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (7.9 μg/m3 for particulate matter measuring ≤2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5] and 17.4 parts per billion [ppb] for NO2) with extensive CAD (coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >1,000 and obstructive CAD [≥70% diameter stenosis]). Bottom row: Images in a 57-year-old female patient with lower 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (6.3 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and 4.6 ppb for NO2) with no CAD (CACS = 0 and no obstructive stenosis).](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/06/hanneman.r6SMLzkezo.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
