Reassessing the Age Threshold: Performance of Coronary CT Angiography
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Diagnostic Accuracy of Cardiac CT in Patients Over 65: A 10-Year Retrospective Study with Secondary Analysis of Plaque Burden and MACE
IRAS ID
360842
Contact name
DALIA AHMED
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Purpose and Design
This retrospective study aims to evaluate the diagnostic performance of cardiac CT in patients over 65 years of age with suspected coronary artery disease at HUTH between 2015 and 2025. The study also includes a secondary analysis of risk factor profiles, coronary plaque burden (qualitative scoring), and the association of CT findings with major adverse cardiac events (MACE).The rationale stems from a growing real-world application of cardiac CT in patients >65, despite guideline thresholds (e.g. ACC/AHA 2021) recommending its use primarily in younger cohorts. Given an ageing population, this study addresses a clinically relevant evidence gap and will inform future imaging strategy decisions.
The study is purely observational and uses routine clinical data already collected for the purposes of patient care. No changes to clinical pathways or patient contact are planned. The data will be reviewed retrospectively and analysed to determine both diagnostic performance and prognostic value.
The study protocol has been developed in consultation with cardiology and the cardiology research team has reviewed and advised on methodological design. The consensus was that this retrospective analysis using non-identifiable data is appropriate and poses minimal burden or ethical concern.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
25/WA/0283
Date of REC Opinion
21 Oct 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion