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Durand E, Bauer F, Mansencal N, Azarine A, Diebold B, Hagege A, Perdrix L, Gilard M, Jobic Y, Eltchaninoff H, Bensalah M, Dubourg B, Caudron J, Niarra R, Chatellier G, Dacher JN, Mousseaux E. Head-to-head comparison of the diagnostic performance of coronary computed tomography angiography and dobutamine-stress echocardiography in the evaluation of acute chest pain with normal ECG findings and negative troponin tests: A prospective multicenter study. Int J Cardiol 2017; 241:463-469. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2017.02.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 12/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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The Potential Role of Combined Highly Sensitive Troponin and Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in the Evaluation of Patients with Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Emergency Department. CURRENT CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING REPORTS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s12410-016-9393-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Ferencik M, Hoffmann U, Bamberg F, Januzzi JL. Highly sensitive troponin and coronary computed tomography angiography in the evaluation of suspected acute coronary syndrome in the emergency department. Eur Heart J 2016; 37:2397-405. [PMID: 26843275 PMCID: PMC6279199 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehw005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The evaluation of patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a clinical challenge. The traditional assessment includes clinical risk assessment based on cardiovascular risk factors with serial electrocardiograms and cardiac troponin measurements, often followed by advanced cardiac testing as inpatient or outpatient (i.e. stress testing, imaging). Despite this costly and lengthy work-up, there is a non-negligible rate of missed ACS with an increased risk of death. There is a clinical need for diagnostic strategies that will lead to rapid and reliable triage of patients with suspected ACS. We provide an overview of the evidence for the role of highly sensitive troponin (hsTn) in the rapid and efficient evaluation of suspected ACS. Results of recent research studies have led to the introduction of hsTn with rapid rule-in and rule-out protocols into the guidelines. Highly sensitive troponin increases the sensitivity for the detection of myocardial infarction and decreases time to diagnosis; however, it may decrease the specificity, especially when used as a dichotomous variable, rather than continuous variable as recommended by guidelines; this may increase clinician uncertainty. We summarize the evidence for the use of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) as the rapid diagnostic tool in this population when used with conventional troponin assays. Coronary CTA significantly decreases time to diagnosis and discharge in patients with suspected ACS, while being safe. However, it may lead to increase in invasive procedures and includes radiation exposure. Finally, we outline the opportunities for the combined use of hsTn and coronary CTA that may result in increased efficiency, decreased need for imaging, lower cost, and decreased radiation dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maros Ferencik
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, 3180 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code UHN62, Portland, OR 97239, USA Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Udo Hoffmann
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fabian Bamberg
- Department of Radiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - James L Januzzi
- Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Abstract
Although recent advances in noninvasive imaging technologies have potentially improved diagnostic efficiency and clinical outcomes of patients with acute chest pain, controversy remains regarding much of the accumulated evidence. This article reviews the role of coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography in the assessment of coronary risk, and its usefulness in the emergency department in facilitating appropriate disposition decisions. Also discussed is coronary artery calcification incidentally found on CT scans when done for indications such as evaluation of pulmonary embolism or lung cancer. The evidence base and clinical applications for both techniques are described, together with cost-effectiveness and radiation exposure considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapnesh Parikh
- Internal Medicine Department, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, 1124 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Matthew J Budoff
- Internal Medicine Department, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, 1124 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.
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Dave DM, Ferencic M, Hoffmann U, Udelson JE. Imaging techniques for the assessment of suspected acute coronary syndromes in the emergency department. Curr Probl Cardiol 2014; 39:191-247. [PMID: 24952880 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2014.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Influence of observer experience and training on proficiency in coronary CT angiography interpretation. Eur J Radiol 2013; 82:1240-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2013.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2013] [Revised: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Coronary CT angiography outperforms calcium imaging in the triage of acute coronary syndrome. Int J Cardiol 2013; 167:1597-602. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2012.04.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Revised: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 04/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Triage of patients presenting with chest pain to the emergency department: implementation of coronary CT angiography in a large urban health care system. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2013; 200:57-65. [PMID: 23255742 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.12.8808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is growing evidence supporting the use of coronary CT angiography (CTA) to triage patients in the emergency department (ED) with acute chest pain and low risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We hypothesized that coronary CTA can guide early management and safely discharge patients by introducing a dedicated patient management protocol. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We conducted a prospective cohort study in three EDs of a large health care system (> 1300 beds). Five hundred twenty-nine patients (mean age, 52.1 years; 56% women) with chest pain, negative cardiac enzyme results, normal or nondiagnostic ECG findings, and a thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score of 2 or less were admitted and underwent CTA. A new dedicated chest pain triage protocol (levels 1-5) was implemented. On the basis of CTA findings, patients were stratified into one of the following four groups: 0, low (negative CTA findings); 1, mild (1-49% stenosis); 2, moderate (50-69% stenosis); or 3, severe (≥ 70% stenosis) risk of ACS. Outcome measures included major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) during the first 30 days after CTA, downstream testing results, and length of stay (LOS). LOS was compared before and after implementation of our chest pain triage protocol. RESULTS Three hundred seventeen patients (59.9%) with negative CTA findings and 151 (28.5%) with mild stenosis were discharged from the ED with a very low downstream testing rate and a very low MACE rate (negative predictive value = 99.8%). Twenty-five patients (4.7%) had moderate stenosis (n = 17 undergoing further testing). Thirty-six patients (6.8%) had stenosis of 70% or greater by CTA (n = 34 positive by invasive angiography or SPECT-myocardial perfusion imaging). The sensitivity of CTA was 94%. The rate of MACEs in patients with stenosis of 70% or greater (8.3%) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in patients with negative CTA findings (0%) or those with mild stenosis (0.2%). A 51% decrease in LOS-from 28.8 to 14.0 hours--was noted after implementation of the dedicated chest pain protocol (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Chest pain patients with negative or mild nonobstructive CTA findings can be safely discharged from the ED without further testing. Implementation of a dedicated chest pain triage protocol is critical for the success of a coronary CTA program.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Echocardiography, radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), and coronary CT angiography (CTA) are the three main imaging techniques used in the emergency department for the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The purpose of this article is to quantitatively examine existing evidence about the diagnostic performance of these imaging tests in this setting. CONCLUSION Our systematic search of the medical literature showed no significant difference between the modalities for the detection of ACS in the emergency department. There was a slight, positive trend favoring coronary CTA. Given the absence of large differences in diagnostic performance, practical aspects such as local practice, expertise, medical facilities, and individual patient characteristics may be more important.
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Ferencik M, Schlett CL, Bamberg F, Truong QA, Nichols JH, Pena AJ, Shapiro MD, Rogers IS, Seneviratne S, Parry BA, Cury RC, Brady TJ, Brown DF, Nagurney JT, Hoffmann U. Comparison of traditional cardiovascular risk models and coronary atherosclerotic plaque as detected by computed tomography for prediction of acute coronary syndrome in patients with acute chest pain. Acad Emerg Med 2012; 19:934-42. [PMID: 22849339 DOI: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2012.01417.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective was to determine the association of four clinical risk scores and coronary plaque burden as detected by computed tomography (CT) with the outcome of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with acute chest pain. The hypothesis was that the combination of risk scores and plaque burden improved the discriminatory capacity for the diagnosis of ACS. METHODS The study was a subanalysis of the Rule Out Myocardial Infarction Using Computer-Assisted Tomography (ROMICAT) trial-a prospective observational cohort study. The authors enrolled patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a chief complaint of acute chest pain, inconclusive initial evaluation (negative biomarkers, nondiagnostic electrocardiogram [ECG]), and no history of coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients underwent contrast-enhanced 64-multidetector-row cardiac CT and received standard clinical care (serial ECG, cardiac biomarkers, and subsequent diagnostic testing, such as exercise treadmill testing, nuclear stress perfusion imaging, and/or invasive coronary angiography), as deemed clinically appropriate. The clinical providers were blinded to CT results. The chest pain score was calculated and the results were dichotomized to ≥10 (high-risk) and <10 (low-risk). Three risk scores were calculated, Goldman, Sanchis, and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI), and each patient was assigned to a low-, intermediate-, or high-risk category. Because of the low number of subjects in the high-risk group, the intermediate- and high-risk groups were combined into one. CT images were evaluated for the presence of plaque in 17 coronary segments. Plaque burden was stratified into none, intermediate, and high (zero, one to four, and more than four segments with plaque). An outcome panel of two physicians (blinded to CT findings) established the primary outcome of ACS (defined as either an acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina) during the index hospitalization (from the presentation to the ED to the discharge from the hospital). Logistic regression modeling was performed to examine the association of risk scores and coronary plaque burden to the outcome of ACS. Unadjusted models were individually fitted for the coronary plaque burden and for Goldman, Sanchis, TIMI, and chest pain scores. In adjusted analyses, the authors tested whether the association between risk scores and ACS persisted after controlling for the coronary plaque burden. The prognostic discriminatory capacity of the risk scores and plaque burden for ACS was assessed using c-statistics. The differences in area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) and c-statistics were tested by performing the -2 log likelihood ratio test of nested models. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Among 368 subjects, 31 (8%) subjects were diagnosed with ACS. Goldman (AUC = 0.61), Sanchis (AUC = 0.71), and TIMI (AUC = 0.63) had modest discriminatory capacity for the diagnosis of ACS. Plaque burden was the strongest predictor of ACS (AUC = 0.86; p < 0.05 for all comparisons with individual risk scores). The combination of plaque burden and risk scores improved prediction of ACS (plaque + Goldman AUC = 0.88, plaque + Sanchis AUC = 0.90, plaque + TIMI AUC = 0.88; p < 0.01 for all comparisons with coronary plaque burden alone). CONCLUSIONS Risk scores (Goldman, Sanchis, TIMI) have modest discriminatory capacity and coronary plaque burden has good discriminatory capacity for the diagnosis of ACS in patients with acute chest pain. The combined information of risk scores and plaque burden significantly improves the discriminatory capacity for the diagnosis of ACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maros Ferencik
- Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Hascoët S, Bongard V, Chabbert V, Marachet MA, Rousseau H, Charpentier S, Bouisset F, Honton B, Lairez O, Marchal P, Berry M, Carrié D, Galinier M, Elbaz M. Early triage of emergency department patients with acute coronary syndrome: Contribution of 64-slice computed tomography angiography. Arch Cardiovasc Dis 2012; 105:338-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.acvd.2012.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2011] [Revised: 04/08/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Fernandez-Friera L, Garcia-Alvarez A, Guzman G, Garcia MJ. Coronary CT and the coronary calcium score, the future of ED risk stratification? Curr Cardiol Rev 2012; 8:86-97. [PMID: 22708911 PMCID: PMC3406277 DOI: 10.2174/157340312801784989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2010] [Revised: 08/17/2011] [Accepted: 09/01/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate and efficient evaluation of acute chest pain remains clinically challenging because traditional diagnostic modalities have many limitations. Recent improvement in non-invasive imaging technologies could potentially improve both diagnostic efficiency and clinical outcomes of patients with acute chest pain while reducing unnecessary hospitalizations. However, there is still controversy regarding much of the evidence for these technologies. This article reviews the role of coronary artery calcium score and the coronary computed tomography in the assessment of individual coronary risk and their usefulness in the emergency department in facilitating appropriate disposition decisions. The evidence base and clinical applications for both techniques are also described, together with cost- effectiveness and radiation exposure considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Fernandez-Friera
- Departamento de Cardiologia, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander. Spain
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid. Spain
| | - Ana Garcia-Alvarez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid. Spain
- Thorax Institute Cardiology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriela Guzman
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid. Spain
- Hospital La Paz, Madrid. Spain
| | - Mario J Garcia
- Montefiore Heart Center-Albert Einstein School of Medicine. New York
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Litt HI, Gatsonis C, Snyder B, Singh H, Miller CD, Entrikin DW, Leaming JM, Gavin LJ, Pacella CB, Hollander JE. CT angiography for safe discharge of patients with possible acute coronary syndromes. N Engl J Med 2012; 366:1393-403. [PMID: 22449295 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1201163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 490] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Admission rates among patients presenting to emergency departments with possible acute coronary syndromes are high, although for most of these patients, the symptoms are ultimately found not to have a cardiac cause. Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) has a very high negative predictive value for the detection of coronary disease, but its usefulness in determining whether discharge of patients from the emergency department is safe is not well established. METHODS We randomly assigned low-to-intermediate-risk patients presenting with possible acute coronary syndromes, in a 2:1 ratio, to undergo CCTA or to receive traditional care. Patients were enrolled at five centers in the United States. Patients older than 30 years of age with a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk score of 0 to 2 and signs or symptoms warranting admission or testing were eligible. The primary outcome was safety, assessed in the subgroup of patients with a negative CCTA examination, with safety defined as the absence of myocardial infarction and cardiac death during the first 30 days after presentation. RESULTS We enrolled 1370 subjects: 908 in the CCTA group and 462 in the group receiving traditional care. The baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. Of 640 patients with a negative CCTA examination, none died or had a myocardial infarction within 30 days (0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0 to 0.57). As compared with patients receiving traditional care, patients in the CCTA group had a higher rate of discharge from the emergency department (49.6% vs. 22.7%; difference, 26.8 percentage points; 95% CI, 21.4 to 32.2), a shorter length of stay (median, 18.0 hours vs. 24.8 hours; P<0.001), and a higher rate of detection of coronary disease (9.0% vs. 3.5%; difference, 5.6 percentage points; 95% CI, 0 to 11.2). There was one serious adverse event in each group. CONCLUSIONS A CCTA-based strategy for low-to-intermediate-risk patients presenting with a possible acute coronary syndrome appears to allow the safe, expedited discharge from the emergency department of many patients who would otherwise be admitted. (Funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health and the American College of Radiology Imaging Network Foundation; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00933400.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold I Litt
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Do S, Karl WC, Liang Z, Kalra M, Brady TJ, Pien HH. A decomposition-based CT reconstruction formulation for reducing blooming artifacts. Phys Med Biol 2011; 56:7109-25. [PMID: 22025109 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/56/22/008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac computed tomography represents an important advancement in the ability to assess coronary vessels. The accuracy of these non-invasive imaging studies is limited, however, by the presence of calcium, since calcium blooming artifacts lead to an over-estimation of the degree of luminal narrowing. To address this problem, we have developed a unified decomposition-based iterative reconstruction formulation, where different penalty functions are imposed on dense objects (i.e. calcium) and soft tissue. The result is a quantifiable reduction in blooming artifacts without the introduction of new distortions away from the blooming observed in other methods. Results are shown for simulations, phantoms, ex vivo, and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Synho Do
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Galiwango P, Chow BJ. Cardiac Computed Tomography and Risks of Radiation Exposure: How Low Can We Go? Can J Cardiol 2011; 27:536-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2010.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2010] [Accepted: 10/15/2010] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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Performance and efficacy of 320-row computed tomography coronary angiography in patients presenting with acute chest pain: results from a clinical registry. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2011; 28:865-76. [PMID: 21614485 PMCID: PMC3360867 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-011-9889-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of 320-row computed tomography angiography (CTA) in the identification of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients presenting with acute chest pain and to examine the relation to outcome during follow-up. A total of 106 patients with acute chest pain underwent CTA to evaluate presence of CAD. Each CTA was classified as: normal, non-significant CAD (<50% luminal narrowing) and significant CAD (≥50% luminal narrowing). CTA results were compared with quantitative coronary angiography. After discharge, the following cardiovascular events were recorded: cardiac death, non-fatal infarction, and unstable angina requiring revascularization. Among the 106 patients, 23 patients (22%) had a normal CTA, 19 patients (18%) had non-significant CAD on CTA, 59 patients (55%) had significant CAD on CTA, and 5 patients (5%) had non-diagnostic image quality. In total, 16 patients (15%) were immediately discharged after normal CTA and 90 patients (85%) underwent invasive coronary angiography. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values to detect significant CAD on CTA were 100, 87, 93, and 100%, respectively. During mean follow-up of 13.7 months, no cardiovascular events occurred in patients with a normal CTA examination. In patients with non-significant CAD on CTA, no cardiac death or myocardial infarctions occurred and only 1 patient underwent revascularization due to unstable angina. In patients presenting with acute chest pain, an excellent clinical performance for the non-invasive assessment of significant CAD was demonstrated using CTA. Importantly, normal or non-significant CAD on CTA predicted a low rate of adverse cardiovascular events and favorable outcome during follow-up.
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