CAD-RADS: A Standardized Reporting System for Coronary CT Angiography

Abstract

Coronary CT angiography (CTA) has been firmly established as a reliable and accurate noninvasive diagnostic modality for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). The Coronary Artery Disease Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS) was developed to standardize the interpretation and reporting of coronary CTA findings, including the presence, extent, and composition of coronary atherosclerotic plaques. The CAD-RADS classification is a comprehensive system that summarizes patient-level imaging results based on the most severe coronary artery lesion, ranging from CAD-RADS 0 (no CAD evidence) to CAD-RADS 5 (complete occlusion of a coronary artery). This system also provides clinical management recommendations corresponding to each classification level, including suggestions for further diagnostic testing and therapeutic strategies. CAD-RADS has the potential to enhance communication between radiologists and referring clinicians, thereby facilitating more effective and consistent clinical decision-making. It also supports a more appropriate use of invasive coronary angiography by improving diagnostic precision.