To evaluate seasonal patterns in coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).
Approach:
Study Population and Data Collection: Retrospective analysis of quality management data from an ambulatory high-volume outpatient CCTA practice in Cologne, Germany, from November 2020 to July 2025.
CCTA Acquisition and Interpretation: CCTA scans were performed using a dedicated cardiac CT scanner with standardized protocols, and images were interpreted by radiologists or cardiologists.
Definitions and Endpoints: CAD was defined as the presence of atherosclerotic plaque detected by CCTA, with endpoints including CAD diagnosis, obstructive CAD diagnosis, new medical therapy initiation, and initiation of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) per season.
Statistical Analysis: Categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson chi-square test, and binary logistic regression assessed the association between season and CAD diagnosis.
Key Findings:
A total of 11,785 CT studies were performed, with 10,023 patients included in the final analysis, indicating significant seasonal variations in CAD diagnoses via CCTA.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
The study is retrospective and may be subject to selection bias.
Data was collected from a single center, which may limit generalizability.
Conclusion:
The study provides insights into seasonal variations in CAD diagnoses.
