TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of coronary artery calcification score in clinical practice
AU - Piers, Lieuwe H.
AU - Salachova, Farah
AU - Slart, Riemer H. J. A.
AU - Vliegenthart, Rozemarijn
AU - Dikkers, Riksta
AU - Hospers, Frederique A. P.
AU - Bouma, Hjalmar R.
AU - Zeebregts, Clark J.
AU - Willems, Tineke P.
AU - Oudkerk, Matthijs
AU - Zijlstra, Felix
AU - Tio, Rene A.
PY - 2008/12/17
Y1 - 2008/12/17
N2 - Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) measured by electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) has been well studied in the prediction of coronary artery disease ( CAD). We sought to evaluate the impact of the CAC score in the diagnostic process immediately after its introduction in a large tertiary referral centre.Methods: 598 patients with no history of CAD who underwent EBCT for evaluation of CAD were retrospectively included into the study. Ischemia detection test results ( exercise stress test, single photon emission computed tomography or ST segment analysis on 24 hours ECG detection), as well as the results of coronary angiography (CAG) were collected.Results: The mean age of the patients was 55 +/- 11 years ( 57% male). Patients were divided according to CAC scores; group A <10, B 10 - 99, C 100 - 399 and D >= 400 ( 304, 135, 89 and 70 patients respectively). Ischemia detection tests were performed in 531 (89%) patients; negative ischemia results were found in 362 patients ( 183 in group A, 87 in B, 58 in C, 34 in D). Eighty-eight percent of the patients in group D underwent CAG despite negative ischemia test results, against 6% in group A, 16% in group B and 29% in group C. A positive ischemia test was found in 74 patients ( 25 in group A, 17 in B, 16 in C, 16 in D). In group D 88% (N = 14) of the patients with a positive ischemia test were referred for CAG, whereas 38 - 47% in group A-C.Conclusion: Our study showed that patients with a high CAC score are more often referred for CAG. The CAC scores can be used as an aid in daily cardiology practice to determine further decision making.
AB - Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) measured by electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) has been well studied in the prediction of coronary artery disease ( CAD). We sought to evaluate the impact of the CAC score in the diagnostic process immediately after its introduction in a large tertiary referral centre.Methods: 598 patients with no history of CAD who underwent EBCT for evaluation of CAD were retrospectively included into the study. Ischemia detection test results ( exercise stress test, single photon emission computed tomography or ST segment analysis on 24 hours ECG detection), as well as the results of coronary angiography (CAG) were collected.Results: The mean age of the patients was 55 +/- 11 years ( 57% male). Patients were divided according to CAC scores; group A <10, B 10 - 99, C 100 - 399 and D >= 400 ( 304, 135, 89 and 70 patients respectively). Ischemia detection tests were performed in 531 (89%) patients; negative ischemia results were found in 362 patients ( 183 in group A, 87 in B, 58 in C, 34 in D). Eighty-eight percent of the patients in group D underwent CAG despite negative ischemia test results, against 6% in group A, 16% in group B and 29% in group C. A positive ischemia test was found in 74 patients ( 25 in group A, 17 in B, 16 in C, 16 in D). In group D 88% (N = 14) of the patients with a positive ischemia test were referred for CAG, whereas 38 - 47% in group A-C.Conclusion: Our study showed that patients with a high CAC score are more often referred for CAG. The CAC scores can be used as an aid in daily cardiology practice to determine further decision making.
KW - BEAM COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY
KW - AMERICAN-HEART-ASSOCIATION
KW - SILENT-MYOCARDIAL-ISCHEMIA
KW - PROGNOSTIC VALUE
KW - ANGINA-PECTORIS
KW - CALCIUM SCORE
KW - FOLLOW-UP
KW - DISEASE
KW - ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY
KW - PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
U2 - 10.1186/1471-2261-8-38
DO - 10.1186/1471-2261-8-38
M3 - Article
SN - 1471-2261
VL - 8
JO - BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
JF - BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
M1 - 38
ER -