When assessing heart blockages, advanced CT imaging proves as accurate as invasive tests

An ultrafast, 320-detector computed tomography (CT) scanner that shows both anatomy within coronary arteries and blood flow can accurately sort out which people need - or don't need - an invasive procedure to identify coronary blockages, according to an international study. The researchers say their findings could potentially save millions of people worldwide from having an unnecessary cardiac catheterization.The study, known as CORE 320, involved 381 patients at 16 hospitals in eight countries. An article on the results was published online by the European Heart Journal.