Cardiac imaging: coronary CT angiography: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Cardiac imaging: coronary CT angiography

Sample item

A 48-year-old man with atypical chest pain, a low to intermediate pre-test probability of coronary disease and a normal ECG needs a non-invasive test. What is the main strength of coronary CT angiography?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. High negative predictive value to exclude significant coronary stenosis

In coronary CTA a negative result reliably excludes obstructive coronary disease, so it is used in low to intermediate risk patients. Heavy calcification, high heart rates and arrhythmia limit its accuracy.

Option by option

  • A. Replacement of invasive angiography when intervention is needed

    Invasive angiography is still needed for therapeutic intervention.

  • B. Direct measurement of myocardial viability

    Viability is assessed by delayed enhancement MRI or nuclear studies.

  • C. Assessment of valve gradients

    Valve gradients are measured by echocardiography Doppler.

  • D. High negative predictive value to exclude significant coronary stenosis (correct)

    Correct. Its negative predictive value is high.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is D, High negative predictive value to exclude significant coronary stenosis. In coronary CTA a negative result reliably excludes obstructive coronary disease, so it is used in low to intermediate risk patients.

Why is "Replacement of invasive angiography when intervention is needed" not the answer?

Invasive angiography is still needed for therapeutic intervention.

Why is "Direct measurement of myocardial viability" not the answer?

Viability is assessed by delayed enhancement MRI or nuclear studies.

Why is "Assessment of valve gradients" not the answer?

Valve gradients are measured by echocardiography Doppler.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiac imaging: coronary CT angiography in Radiology. Heavy calcification, high heart rates and arrhythmia limit its accuracy.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cardiac imaging: coronary CT angiography?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.