Testing CT scans to measure heart artery plaque buildup

The COMPLETE study is testing whether a type of CT scan (called coronary CT angiography) can accurately measure the total amount of plaque buildup in your heart arteries. Researchers will compare the CT scan results to a more detailed imaging technique called intravascular ultrasound, which is performed during a standard heart catheterization procedure. This comparison will help doctors understand if CT scans alone can reliably assess how much plaque is in your arteries without needing additional tests.

Currently, doctors use different imaging methods to evaluate plaque in the heart arteries, but it's not always clear which method gives the most accurate picture. By testing this medication comparison in a careful study, researchers hope to develop better, simpler ways to diagnose and monitor heart artery disease so that patients can receive the right treatment sooner.