Abstract
Background
Individuals with normal myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) may still have substantial coronary artery disease (CAD), which would benefit from aggressive medical therapy. The role of coronary artery calcium-score (CAC) and/or coronary CT Angiography (CTA) to identify additional treatment candidates in this population is unknown.
Methods
Ninety-four patients completed the study protocol and underwent CAC and CTA after MPI.
Results
In 81 patients who had a normal MPI, an algorithm using the clinical predictors, CAC, and then CTA was created to identify candidates for aggressive medical management; 24/81 patients had a high Framingham Risk Score (FRS) or diabetes, and need aggressive medical management, while 6/81 patients had a low FRS and low post-MPI probability of CAD. The use of CAC in 51/81 patients with intermediate clinical predictors would identify 23/51 patients with low risk (CAC < 100) and 11/51 patients (CAC > 400) for aggressive medical management. The remaining 17/51 patients with intermediate CAC scores (100-399) would require CTA, of which, would identify 8/17 additional patients with >50% stenosis for aggressive medical therapy.
Conclusion
A stepwise approach including history, CAC and CTA can identify about 50% of the patients with normal MPI who have a higher risk and may benefit from aggressive medical management.
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Acknowledgments
This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Research and Development: Targeted Research Enhancement Program Grant (TRP 04-179) from the Health Services Research and Development Service (W-CW); Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development Service (CDA-2 Award to GC). The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Gaurav Choudhary and Victor Shin contributed equally to this work.
See related editorial, doi:10.1007/s12350-009-9176-8.
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Choudhary, G., Shin, V., Punjani, S. et al. The role of calcium score and CT angiography in the medical management of patients with normal myocardial perfusion imaging. J. Nucl. Cardiol. 17, 45–51 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-009-9158-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-009-9158-x