EDITORIAL Combined anatomical and functional CT imaging

In recent years coronary CT angiography (CTA) has become an im-portant non-invasive method for anatomic detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). The technique is robust and allows the assess-ment of coronary stenosis and plaques with acceptable radiation dose.1 The multi-centre studies have demonstrated very high nega-tive predictive value for the identification of.50 % coronary artery stenoses making CTA an excellent tool for exclusion of CAD. The recent ESC guidelines for stable CAD2 suggest the use of CTA espe-cially in symptomatic patients with lower range of intermediate pre-test probability of CAD. Cardiac imaging is used not only to confirm the diagnosis of CAD but also to document ischaemia, assess the risk and guide selection of treatment options.2 Therefore, the evaluation of the haemodynamic significance of stenosis is important and the functional tests have an important role in the current clinical guidelines on stable CAD.