Immediate computed tomography coronary angiography versus delayed outpatient stress testing for detecting coronary artery disease in emergency department patients with chest pain

Noninvasive testing for coronary artery disease (CAD) is warranted for symptomatic patients with intermediate pretest likelihood of CAD. Accomplishing testing in an emergency department (ED) environment is challenging. We compared two strategies of CAD testing in ED patients: immediate computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) versus delayed outpatient stress testing. We conducted a historical control cohort study comparing symptomatic ED patients without an acute coronary syndrome who warranted noninvasive CAD testing. Two cohorts (50 patients each) were defined by CAD testing strategy, immediate CTCA versus delayed stress testing. Outcomes were duration of ED stay, detection of CAD, and 3-month rates of readmission, myocardial infarction, (MI) or death. Median duration of stay was 417.5 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 359.0–581.0) in the CT cohort and 400.0 minutes (IQR 338.0–471.0) in the control cohort (P = 0.53). CAD was detected in 14 CT cohort patients versus 1 in control (P = 0.0004), due to low follow-up in the control cohort (18 of 50, 36%). Obstructive CAD was diagnosed in 6 CT cohort patients versus 1 in control (P = 0.11). During 3 months of follow-up, four patients in each cohort were reevaluated in the ED for chest pain; no patients suffered MI or death. A strategy of immediate CTCA is superior to a delayed stress testing strategy for detecting CAD in ED patients with chest pain and prompting appropriate referrals for further management. Delayed stress testing was primarily ineffective due to low follow-up. Immediate CTCA can be used safely without altering the ED duration of stay.     

Coronary computed tomography angiography for the evaluation of patients with acute chest pain

Acute chest pain is a common presenting complaint of patients attending emergency room departments. Despite this, it can often be challenging to completely exclude a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome following an initial standard clinical and biochemical evaluation. As a result of this, patients are often admitted to hospital until the treating clinician is satisfied that this diagnosis can be excluded. This process imparts a significant health economic burden by not only increasing hospital bed occupancy rates but also by the unnecessary layering of diagnostic investigations. With the rapid advances in coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA), there has been considerable interest in whether coronary CTA may be a viable alternative to this current standard care. We review the current literature and supporting evidence for utilising coronary CTA in the evaluation of patients presenting with acute chest pain in terms of its diagnostic accuracy, safety, cost-effectiveness and prognostic implications.     

Coronary artery fistula in a patient with coronary artery disease: evaluation by coronary angiography and multidetector computed tomography

A 54-year-old man with acute miyocardial infarction was successfully treated with coronary artery stenting. Coronary angiography is the preferred diagnostic method for imaging the coronary arteries, but coronary artery fistulas origin and course may not be apparent. New tomographic cardiovascular imaging tests such as, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) can be used to precise delineation of coronary fistulas. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Cardiac risk factors and risk scores vs cardiac computed tomography angiography: a prospective cohort study for triage of ED patients with acute chest pain

ObjectiveThe objective of the study is to evaluate cardiac risk factors and risk scores for prediction of coronary artery disease (CAD) and adverse outcomes in an emergency department (ED) population judged to be at low to intermediate risk for acute coronary syndrome.MethodsInformed consent was obtained from consecutive ED patients who presented with chest pain and were evaluated with coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA). Cardiac risk factors, clinical presentation, electrocardiogram, and laboratory studies were recorded; the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) scores were tabulated. Coronary computed tomography angiography findings were rated on a 6-level plaque burden scale and classified for significant CAD (stenosis ≥ 50%). Adverse cardiovascular outcomes were recorded at 30 days.ResultsAmong 250 patients evaluated by cCTA, 143 (57%) had no CAD, 64 (26%) demonstrated minimal plaque (< 30% stenosis), 26 (10%) demonstrated mild plaque (< 50% stenosis), 9 (4%) demonstrated moderate single vessel disease (50%-70% stenosis), 2 (1%) demonstrated moderate multivessel disease, and 6 (2%) demonstrated severe disease (> 70% stenosis). Six patients developed adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Among traditional cardiac risk factors, only age (older) and sex (male) were significant independent predictors of CAD. Correlation with CAD was poor for the TIMI (r = 0.12) and GRACE (r = 0.09-0.23) scores. The TIMI and GRACE scores were not useful to predict adverse outcomes. Coronary computed tomography angiography identified severe CAD in all subjects with adverse outcomes.ConclusionAmong ED patients who present with chest pain judged to be at low to intermediate risk for acute coronary syndrome, traditional risk factors are not useful to stratify risk for CAD and adverse outcomes. Coronary computed tomography angiography is an excellent predictor of CAD and outcome.     

Association of B-type natriuretic peptide with coronary plaque subtypes detected by coronary computed tomography angiography in patients with stable chest pain

Increased B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level has been suggested to improve clinical predictions of coronary events and all-cause mortality. We aimed to analyze the relationship between BNP levels and coronary plaque subtypes as detected by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). 402 subjects undergoing CCTA were enrolled. The relationship between increased levels of BNP and plaque subtypes was tested using multivariable linear and logistic regression analysis. Plaques were categorized into subtypes of calcified, mixed and non-calcified. Coronary plaque was observed in 93 of 402 individuals. The participants were divided into three groups according to their serum BNP levels. Compared to those with low BNP level, subgroup with high BNP level had increased prevalence of all plaque types and mixed calcified arterial plaque (MCAP). Multivariable logistic regression analysis suggested increased BNP level predicted the MCAP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis between the presence of ≥2 plaques and BNP indicated that, subgroup with high BNP level was more likely to have MCAP than low BNP level. Our study suggests that increased BNP level is associated with MCAP detected by CCTA. Increased BNP level provides additional information about coronary artery disease in patients with stable chest pain detected by CCTA.     

Self-report of chest pain symptoms and coronary artery disease in patients undergoing angiography.

The relation of self-reported chest discomfort to the presence of atherosclerosis was examined, taking age and gender differences into account. Sixteen practicing cardiologists independently rated the items of a self-report questionnaire of angina pectoris (AP) symptoms according to their adjudged likelihood of being associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Inpatients' (130 male and 82 female) responses to this questionnaire were obtained on the day prior to coronary angiography and scored according to their reporting of 12 symptoms endorsed by all 16 cardiologists, 25 symptoms endorsed by at least 90% of the cardiologists, and responses to items used in the Rose questionnaire, a brief survey tool for diagnosis of chest pain. Finally, patients' angiographic results were rated for presence of 75% or more CAD of one or more coronary arteries. Surprisingly, more symptoms were reported by patients without significant CAD, regardless of age or gender.     

Accuracy of dual-source CT to identify significant coronary artery disease in patients with uncontrolled hypertension presenting with chest pain: comparison with coronary angiography

It has been previously reported that the sensitivity and specificity of multislice CT for detecting significant CAD (coronary artery disease) is high. Chest pain is a common presentation in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. We investigated the sensitivity and specificity of Dual-Source CT to detect and rule out significant CAD in patients presenting with uncontrolled hypertension accompanied by chest pain. 260 consecutive patients presenting with acute chest pain in the context of stage 2 hypertension (systolic pressure ≥160 and/or diastolic pressure ≥100) were enrolled in the study. After admission, control of blood pressure and risk stratification, 82 patients were excluded due to renal insufficiency, prior coronary revascularisation or refused participation in the study. 90 further patients with low pre-test probability of CAD were also excluded. 88 remaining patients were subjected to CT coronary angiography using Dual-Source CT (Definition, Siemens Medical Solutions, Forchheim, Germany) within 24 h before invasive coronary angiography. A contrast-enhanced volume dataset was acquired (120 kV, 400 mAs/rot, collimation 2 × 64 × 0.6 mm, retrospective ECG gating). Data sets were evaluated concerning the presence or absence of significant coronary stenoses and validated against invasive coronary angiography. A significant stenosis was assumed if the diameter reduction was ≥50%. 88 patients (mean age 66 ± 11 years, mean heart rate 61 ± 9 bpm) were evaluated regarding the presence or absence of significant CAD (at least one stenosis ≥50% diameter reduction). Mean systolic blood pressure on presentation was 203 ± 20 mmHg and mean diastolic blood pressure was 103 ± 13 mmHg. On a per patient basis, the sensitivity and specificity for Dual-Source CT to detect significant CAD in vessels >1.5 mm diameter was 100% (36/36, 95% CI 90-100) and 90% (47/52, 95% CI 79-97), respectively with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% (47/47, 95% CI 92-100) and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 88% (36/41, 95% CI 74-96). On a per artery basis, 352 vessels were evaluated (left main, left anterior descending, left circumflex and right coronary artery in 88 patients, 12 vessels could not be assessed due to either motion artefacts or heavy calcification and were considered positive for stenoses) with a sensitivity of 84% (54/64, 95% CI 72-95) and specificity of 94% (272/288, 95% CI 88-100); NPV was 96% (272/282, 95% CI 90-100) and PPV was 77% (54/70, 95% CI 62-91). Our study demonstrates high sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of Dual-Source CT to detect significant CAD in patients presenting with uncontrolled hypertension accompanied by chest pain. Dual-Source CT angiography may be useful to safely rule out coronary artery stenoses and avoid invasive angiograms in these patients.     

Performance and efficacy of 320-row computed tomography coronary angiography in patients presenting with acute chest pain: results from a clinical registry

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.     

Cardiac disease in pediatric patients presenting to a pediatric ED with chest pain

Background

Chest pain is a frequent chief complaint among the pediatric population. To date, limited data exist on the full spectrum of emergent cardiac disease among such patients; and existing data have been limited to relatively small cohorts.

Objectives

The aims of the study were to investigate the emergent cardiac etiologies of chest pain in a large cohort of patients presenting to a tertiary care pediatric emergency department (PED) and to examine the use of resources (electrocardiogram, chest radiograph, echocardiogram, and laboratories) in those with and without cardiac-related chest pain.

Methods

Patient visits to 2 tertiary care PEDs were evaluated over a 3 and half-year period. Records of patients less than 19 years of age with a chief complaint of chest pain and no history of cardiovascular disease were reviewed. Patients were categorized as having cardiac or noncardiac etiologies or history of cardiovascular disease at the time of discharge, based on PED attending's final diagnoses. Final diagnoses classified as emergent cardiac etiologies were determined a priori.

Results

Four thousand four hundred thirty-six patients reported a chief complaint of chest pain during the study period. Three percent were excluded secondary to a history of heart disease. Only 24 (0.6%) of the remaining 4288 were determined to have chest pain of cardiac origin. Those with cardiac-related chest pain had a rate of admission of 50% compared to those without cardiac disease at 4% (P < .001). Nine patients had an arrhythmia, 6 had pericarditis, 4 had myocarditis, 3 had acute myocardial infarction, and 1 had pulmonary embolism and pneumopericardium. Ninety-two percent of the cardiac-related chest pain cohort received electrocardiograms compared to those without cardiac-related chest pain at 27% (P < .01). Only 1 (4%) of 24 subjects with cardiac-related chest pain had a prior emergency department visit within 72 hours suggesting a high detection rate upon initial presentation. The most common noncardiac etiologies for the chest pain were 56% musculoskeletal disorders; 12% related to wheezing, asthma, and cough; 8% infectious causes; 6% gastrointestinal; and 4% related to sickle cell anemia.

Conclusion

Cardiac-related chest pain in pediatric patients is rare but potentially serious. Arrhythmia was the most common cardiac-related etiology among this cohort. Those with myocarditis and myocardial infarction were the most acutely ill. An electrocardiogram in addition to history and physical examination was most useful in detecting relatively uncommon but significant cardiac-related chest pain. Using a thorough physical examination and potentially an electrocardiogram evaluation by a pediatric emergency care physician has an excellent rate of detection of cardiac-related causes.     

Association of atherosclerosis in the descending thoracic aorta with coronary artery disease on multi detector row computed tomography coronary angiography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

The association between atherosclerosis in the descending thoracic aorta (DTA) visualized on computed tomography coronary angiography (CTA) and coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been extensively explored. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of DTA atherosclerosis on CTA was performed and the association of DTA atherosclerosis with CAD was evaluated in patients with suspected CAD. A total of 344 patients (54 ± 12 years, 54 % men) with suspected CAD underwent CTA. CTA were classified based on CAD severity in no signs of atherosclerosis or minor wall-irregularities <30 %, non-significant CAD 30–50 %, or significant CAD ≥50 % stenosis. The DTA was divided in segments according the posterior intercostal arteries. Per segment the presence of atherosclerotic plaque (defined as ≥2 mm wall thickness) was determined and maximal wall thickness was measured. Plaque composition was scored as non-calcified or mixed and the percentage of DTA segments with atherosclerosis was calculated. Significant CAD was present in 152 (44 %) patients and 278 (81 %) had DTA atherosclerotic plaque. DTA maximal wall thickness and percentage of DTA segments with atherosclerosis were 2.7 ± 1 mm and 49 ± 36 %. The presence, severity and extent of DTA atherosclerosis significantly increased with increasing CAD severity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis corrected for age and other risk factors demonstrated independent associations of DTA plaque (OR 6.56, 95 % CI 1.78–24.19, p = 0.005) and maximal DTA wall thickness (OR 2.00, 95 % CI 1.28–3.12, p = 0.002) with significant CAD. The presence and severity of DTA atherosclerosis were independently related with significant CAD on CTA in patients with suspected CAD.     

多层螺旋CT血管成像诊断冠状动脉瘘

目的 评价冠状动脉瘘(CAF)的多层螺旋CT血管造影(MDCTA)特点及其诊断价值。方法 回顾性分析21例接受回顾性心电门控冠状动脉MDCTA的CAF患者影像资料,经VR、MPR、MIP、CPR后确定诊断。结果 ①瘘支动脉中,单一瘘管12例,其中起自右冠状动脉4例、左冠状动脉8例;多发瘘管9例;16例瘘口引流至肺动脉、2例至右心房,2例至左心室、1例至左心房;②瘘支动脉表现为扩张、纡曲或仅为血管丛状,2例合并动脉瘤,合并心包积液、左心室室壁瘤各1例,均未合并心内畸形;③3例失访,1例死亡,17例经超声心动图检查,5例漏诊;17例经冠状动脉造影证实,7例接受手术治疗。结论 MDCTA可无创而准确地显示CAF 起源、行程、引流部位及合并异常。     

A simple score for predicting coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain

BACKGROUND: We have previously derived a chest pain score by comparing those with and without coronary artery disease on angiography, which was subsequently validated in patients attending coronary angiography. AIM: To test the predictive validity of the score prospectively in a more varied out-patient population, and to determine whether it had predictive validity in addition to exercise testing. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. METHODS: The score was applied to 405 out-patients with chest pain who subsequently underwent coronary angiography. Framingham risk analysis and exercise testing were performed in 155. RESULTS: The score had a sensitivity of 91.4% and specificity of 28% for coronary artery disease, which was found in 31.8%, 51%, 63%, and 82% of those with scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Gender (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001), and chest pain score (p = 0.009) independently predicted coronary artery disease on multivariate Poisson regression analysis. The chest pain score had additive predictive value with Framingham risk analysis and Duke's score. DISCUSSION: This simple chest pain score can predict coronary anatomy with similar sensitivity to exercise testing, and can be used in conjunction with exercise testing and other measures. Further validation of the chest pain score in the primary care setting will be useful.     

64排螺旋CT检测冠状动脉病变与同型半胱氨酸水平的相关性研究

目的 探讨64排螺旋CT(MSCT)检测冠状动脉病变与同型半胱氨酸水平的相关性.方法 入选研究对象87例,均未接受叶酸和(或)维生素B12等治疗,分为急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)组33例、稳定型心绞痛(SAP)组29例和正常对照组25例,均行冠状动脉MSCT成像检查,根据CT值进一步将ACS和SAP患者分为易损斑块组26例,混合斑块组19例,钙化斑块组17例;对所有研究对象检测血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)浓度.结果 3组间血清Hcy浓度按ACS组(16.44±5.48) μmol/L、SAP组(13.06±5.80) μmol/L、正常对照组(9.94±4.23) μmol/L顺序递减(均P＜0.01);易损斑块组和混合斑块组血清Hcy浓度均高于钙化斑块组,为(16.50±5.24) μmol/L、(15.51±6.24) μmol/L vs(11.63±5.21) μmol/L(均P＜0.01);ACS组与SAP组斑块构成比不同(x2=7.628,P＜0.05);ACS组易损斑块检出率(42.4％)高于SAP组(17.2％),ACS组钙化斑块检出率(18.2％)低于SAP组(48.3％)(均P＜0.05);斑块的不同性质与血清Hcy浓度间存在相关关系(rs=0.467,P＜0.01).结论 冠状动脉MSCT联合血清Hcy化验检查可作为诊断冠心病并预测其严重程度的无创方法在临床上得以应用.     

64排螺旋CT冠状动脉造影检查的护理

对150例行64排螺旋CT冠状动脉造影检查患者的相关资料进行回顾性分析,减少影响图像质量的干扰因素,提高检查与诊断的成功率。138例图像质量为Ⅰ级,5例图像质量为Ⅱ级,7例图像质量为Ⅲ级。150例造影剂灌注均一次成功,无外渗,无严重过敏反应。细致、科学有效地做好护理工作是协助医师顺利完成64排螺旋CT冠状动脉造影的重要保障。     

Practicality, safety and accuracy of computed tomography coronary angiography in the evaluation of low TIMI-risk score chest pain patients: a pilot study

Objectives: The present pilot study aimed to assess the practicality, safety and accuracy of performing CT coronary angiography (CT‐CA) in the evaluation of acute chest pain of patients with low thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk scores. Methods: The present prospective observational study was undertaken in a university teaching hospital between November 2004 and December 2005. Participants were a convenience sample of patients admitted to hospital for investigation of chest pain with TIMI risk scores <3. Consenting patients underwent CT‐CA within 48 h of presentation. Outcomes of interest were practicality (proportion of diagnostic quality scans obtained and preparation time for CT‐CA), rate of serious adverse events, and accuracy at the patient level using selective coronary angiography as the reference standard. Results: Thirty‐four patients were recruited. Diagnostic quality scans were obtained in 26/34 or 76% of patients (four failed CT‐CA and four non‐diagnostic scans). The median CT preparation time was 1.9 h (range 0.17–4.0). No serious adverse events were found. Fourteen of those 26 patients with diagnostic CT‐CA subsequently had selective coronary angiography, of which nine were positive. The sensitivity and specificity of CT‐CA in identifying patients with significant coronary artery disease were 9/9 (100%; 95% confidence interval 72–100%) and 4/5 (80%; 95% confidence interval 28–100%), respectively. Conclusions: The majority of acute chest pain patients with low TIMI risk scores were successfully scanned with a 16‐slice CT to produce CT‐CA studies with good diagnostic quality and accuracy. No major adverse events were found. The place of CT‐CA in diagnostic workup for chest pain remains to be defined.     

Multislice computed tomography coronary angiography in patients admitted with a suspected acute coronary syndrome

Objectives The aim of this prospective clinical study was to assess the accuracy and clinical relevance of multislice computed tomography coronary angiography (MSCTCA) in patients presenting with acute chest pain. Background Multislice computed tomography coronary angiography has shown ability to detect accurately coronary artery disease (CAD) in selected elective patient groups. Methods One hundred and twenty patients presenting with acute chest pain (<24 h) underwent MSCTCA (Siemens Sensation 16) before a scheduled inpatient conventional coronary angiogram (CCA). Exclusion criteria included patients with STEMI, non-sinus rhythm, contraindication to β blockers and renal impairment. Blinded visual assessment of MSCTCA to detect CAD was performed on an 11-segment model. The accuracy of MSCTCA was compared to CCA to detect significant stenoses (≥50%). Results One hundred and thirteen patients underwent both investigations. The prevalence of significant CAD was 74%. 1,243 native segments were assessed by MSCTCA. The overall ability of MSCTCA to detect the presence of ≥1 significant stenosis in all native segments had a sensitivity of 92% (95%CI 83–97%), specificity of 55% (95%CI 35–74%), positive predictive value of 86% (95%CI 76–93%) and negative predictive value of 70% (95%CI 47–87%). 22% of all segments (mostly distal) were non-analyzable. Coronary calcification was a major cause of false positivity. Conclusion In a prospective study of unselected patients presenting with acute chest pain, the diagnostic accuracy of 16-slice CT coronary angiography was moderate and less than reported from studies in elective patients. The clinical relevance of this technology to screen patients with acute chest pain is limited.

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Condensed Abstract Multislice CT coronary angiography (MSCTCA) and conventional coronary angiography (CCA) were used to assess 120 patients presenting with acute chest pain. MSCTCA was compared to CCA to detect significant stenoses (≥50%). In 113 directly comparable patients MSCTCA had a sensitivity of 92% (95%CI 83–97%) and specificity of 55% (95%CI 35–74%) to detect the presence of ≥1 significant stenosis in all native segments. In this patient cohort with a high prevalence of coronary disease and coronary calcification, the accuracy and clinical relevance of 16 slice MSCTCA to screen and risk stratify patients with acute chest pain is limited.

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