Identification of coronary artery calcification can optimize risk stratification in patients with acute chest pain.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:The number of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is substantial. We tested whether identification of coronary artery calcium (CAC) can improve the negative predictive value (NPV) of clinical risk assessment for ACS in patients with acute chest pain. METHODS AND RESULTS:We included 826 consecutive patients (mean age: 53±11years; 42% female) without known coronary artery disease (CAD) or initially elevated serum biomarkers, whom underwent non-contrast CT, to assess the CAC score, and CT angiography (CTA), to detect coronary stenosis. We analyzed the diagnostic performance of CAC and the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score for our primary outcomes (ACS and obstructive CAD). No CAC was found in 54% (n

SUBMITTER: Bittner DO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5939567 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature