基于深度学习的冠状动脉钙化积分对2型糖尿病患者冠心病的预测价值

目的探究基于深度学习(DL)的冠状动脉钙化积分(CACS)对2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者阻塞性冠心病和非钙化斑块/混合斑块的预测价值。方法连续回顾性纳入2012年12月至2019年12月接受CACS扫描和冠状动脉CT血管成像(CCTA)的424例T2DM患者, 并收集临床风险因素和斑块特征。斑块成分分为钙化、非钙化和混合斑块。阻塞性冠心病定义为最大直径狭窄率≥50%。采用基于DL的自动化方法计算CACS。采用单因素和多因素逻辑回归筛选有统计学意义的因素, 并计算比值比(OR)。用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评价预测性能。结果 CACS增加与更高的CCTA阻塞性冠心病概率相关(与CACS=0对比, CACS为1～99、100～299、300～999调整后OR分别为2.22、6.18、16.98, P值分别为0.009、<0.001、<0.001)。CACS预测阻塞性冠心病的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.764。对比CACS=0, CACS增加与非钙化斑块/混合斑块风险增加有关(CACS为1～99、100～299、300～999调整后OR分别为2.75、4.76、5.29, P值分别...     

低辐射量CT冠状动脉造影联合斑块钙化积分对评估冠状动脉狭窄的临床价值

目的 分析低辐射量CT冠状动脉造影(coronary angiography,CTCA)联合斑块钙化积分对评估冠状动脉狭窄的临床价值.方法 采取前瞻性研究,选取行低辐射量CT℃A检查的75例患者作为研究对象,其中男患占65.33％ (49/75),女患占34.67％ (26/75),均采取低辐射量CTCA扫描,在低辐射量CTCA图像中评估斑块钙化积分,并以侵入性冠状动脉造影结果为参考标准,综合评估冠状动脉狭窄情况,分为冠状动脉明显狭窄组和冠状动脉无明显狭窄组,对比两组患者的斑块钙化积分,分析低辐射量CTCA、斑块钙化积分及两者联合对冠状动脉狭窄的诊断准确率.结果 冠状动脉明显狭窄组的斑块钙化积分503.2±557.4,高于冠状动脉无明显狭窄组的42.6±79.6,差异显著(P =0.002,＜0.01);低辐射量CTCA评估冠状动脉狭窄的灵敏度、特异度、诊断符合率分别为96.2％、78.26％、90.67％,斑块钙化积分评估冠状动脉狭窄的灵敏度、特异度、诊断符合率分别为85.19％、100.0％、89.47％,两者联合评估冠状动脉狭窄的灵敏度、特异度、诊断符合率分别为96.15％、100.0％、97.33％.结论 在冠状动脉狭窄的评估方法选择上,低辐射量CTCA、斑块钙化积分分别具有很高的敏感度、特异度,两者联合可进一步提高对冠状动脉狭窄的评估准确率,不额外增加辐射剂量、延长扫描时间,值得临床借鉴应用.     

冠状动脉钙化积分评价的新方法及临床应用的初步探讨

目的 探讨在冠状动脉CT造影(CT coronary angiography,CTCA)中评估钙化积分的准确性以及对冠状动脉显著狭窄的预测能力,减少病人的辐射剂量.方法 前瞻性研究包括73例患者(女25例,男48例,平均年龄60.27岁±9.78岁,年龄范围34～82岁),使用320排容积CT进行扫描,并对传统钙化积分图像及CTCA图像中分别评估钙化积分.利用Spearman相关分析评价两者的相关性.利用ROC工作曲线,以冠状动脉造影(ICA)结果为参考标准,对比传统钙化积分与造影后钙化积分预测冠状动脉管腔显著狭窄的诊断能力.结果 传统钙化积分的平均值为365±514,造影后钙化积分平均值为404±572,两者呈高度相关(r=0.977,P＜0.01).传统的钙化积分曲线下面积(area under the curve,AUC)为0.859,95％CI 0.774～0.945,CTCA中评估的钙化积分AUC为0.863,95％CI 0.779～0.947.结论 CTCA中评估的钙化积分与传统平扫钙化积分有良好的相关性和准确性,从而可以略过单纯的钙化积分扫描,进一步降低病人的辐射剂量.     

双源CT冠状动脉成像在飞行人员冠心病诊断中的价值

目的 探讨双源CT冠状动脉成像在飞行人员冠心病诊断中的临床应用价值.方法对10名临床怀疑冠心病的飞行人员患者行双源CT冠状动脉成像（computed tomography coronary angiography,CTCA）检查和常规X线冠状动脉血管造影（conventional coronary angiography,CCA）检查,以CCA为金标准比较分析CTCA诊断冠状动脉狭窄的敏感性、特异性及准确性.结果 10例飞行人员患者均成功完成了双源CTCA与CCA 检查,双源CTCA图像优良率为96.3%.CTCA发现不同程度冠状动脉狭窄和斑块形成7例,其中2例同时存在前降支心肌桥;冠状动脉-肺动脉瘘1例;冠状动脉正常2例.7例患者的CTCA图像上15个冠状动脉节段有不同程度狭窄,以CCA为金标准,双源CTCA诊断冠状动脉有狭窄的敏感性、特异性及准确率分别为100.0%、98.2%、98.4%;诊断冠状动脉中度及中度以上狭窄的敏感性、特异性及准确率分别为80.0%、99.2%、98.4%.双源CTCA与CCA显示冠状动脉节段病变的能力无统计学差异（χ2=0.50,P=0.4795）.结论 双源CTCA作为一种无创检查方法,能够准确地评估飞行人员冠状动脉狭窄程度和冠状动脉管壁斑块情况,并能显示冠状动脉先天变异等,对于安全可靠地诊断飞行人员冠心病具有较高的应用价值.     

钙化积分、CTCA以及两者联合对冠状动脉狭窄的诊断价值

目的:探讨冠状动脉钙化积分(CS)、CT冠状动脉成像(CTCA)以及两者联合对诊断冠状动脉狭窄病变的价值.方法:189例患者均行冠状动脉钙化积分扫描、CT冠状动脉成像以及传统冠状动脉造影(CAG)检查.计算CS、CT-CA以及两者联合诊断冠状动脉病变的符合率,并记录有效X线剂量.结果:189例患者中临床诊断为冠心病156例(82.5％),经冠状动脉造影检测出至少有1支冠状动脉狭窄≥50％.采用钙化积分250分作为诊断阈值,检测冠状动脉狭窄≥50％的敏感度和特异度分别为42.9％(67/156)和96.9％(32/33).CTCA检测冠状动脉狭窄≥50％的敏感度和特异度分别为98.1％(153/156)和72.7％(24/33).CS和CTCA联合时,检测冠状动脉狭窄≥50％的敏感度和特异度分别为96.2％(150/156)和87.9％(29/33).结论:钙化积分对诊断冠状动脉狭窄有着很高的特异度;CTCA对诊断冠状动脉狭窄有着很高的敏感度;CTCA联合钙化积分扫描可提高冠状动脉狭窄的诊断符合率.     

不同胸痛类型冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病：基于冠状动脉CTA的对比分析

【摘要】目的：利用CTA技术探讨不同胸痛性质患者冠状动脉钙化积分及冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块及冠心病出现概率的差异性。方法：将3001例门诊疑诊冠心病并行冠状动脉CT血管成像（CCTA）检查的胸痛患者纳入分析,搜集患者的一般信息及传统冠心病相关危险因素。其中,415例（13.8%）有典型心绞痛（A组）,840例（28.0%）有不典型心绞痛者（B组）,1746例（58.2%）有非心绞痛性胸痛（C组）。分析和比较3组患者在冠脉钙化积分（CACS）、冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块情况及冠心病等方面的差异。结果：A组中CACS中位数为0分（上、下四分位数为0、49分）,B组中为0分（上、下四分位数为0、33分）,C组中为0分（上、下四分位数为0、23分）,三组间CACS的差异具有统计学意义（H=9.896,P=0.007）。A、B、C组中冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块的出现率依次为49.6%（206/415）、43.7%（367/840）和39.9%（697/1746）,三组间差异具有统计学意义（χ2=13.873,P=0.001）。A、B、C组中冠心病的出现率依次为22.9%（95/415）、18.6%（156/840）和15.5%（270/1746）,三组间差异具有统计学意义（χ2=14.085,P=0.001）。二元logistic回归分析结果显示典型心绞痛为冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块（OR=1.530,95%CI：1.207~1.940,P<0.001）及冠心病（OR=1.762,95%CI：1.328~2.338,P<0.001）的独立危险因素。结论：典型心绞痛为冠状动脉CTA显示的冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块及冠心病的独立危险因素。     

64层螺旋CT冠状动脉钙化积分的再认识

目的：研究64层螺旋CT（64-MSCT）冠状动脉钙化积分（CACS）与冠状动脉狭窄间的关系,初步探讨诊断冠状动脉狭窄的钙化积分的合适切点（OCP）。方法：对150例同期行常规冠状动脉成像（CAG）和64层螺旋cT冠状动脉成像（cTA）的连续患者进行回顾性分析,定量评价钙化积分与冠状动脉狭窄的关系。结果：患者钙化积分与年龄、狭窄程度及病变支数均成正相关（r=0．41、0．37、0．41,P〈O．001）。对患者、分支、节段冠状动脉狭窄≥50％的诊断,R0c曲线下面积分别为0．78、0．76、0．67,对狭窄≥70％的诊断,ROC曲线下面积分别为0．76、0．75、0．66。依据R0c曲线获得诊断患者冠状动脉狭窄≥50％、≥70％的钙化积分切点为255分、374分（特异度均为95％,敏感度分别为42．2％和39．4％）。结论：钙化积分可反映冠状动脉病变的程度及范围,对患者或每支冠状动脉狭窄有较高的诊断准确性。对于冠状动脉大量钙化患者,钙化积分可作为传统冠状动脉造影前的筛查手段或辅助CTA诊断。     

可疑冠心病患者核素显像与CT冠状动脉造影对比分析

目的探讨核素心肌灌注显像（MPI）和CT冠状动脉造影（CTCA）2种无创性检查方法在可疑冠心病（CAD）患者诊断中的关系。方法对40例可疑冠心病患者行冠状动脉造影（CAG）、MPI和CTCA检查,均在2个月内进行。MPI结果分为正常和异常[可逆性和（或）不可逆性心肌缺血];CTCA结果分为正常、轻度（狭窄〈50％）和中度及其以上狭窄（至少1支主要血管或主要分支血管狭窄程度≥50％）。以CAG结果为“金标准”,对40例患者的MPI和CTCA结果进行对比分析。结果CTCA正常者中,90．1％的患者MPI正常;CTCA异常者中,55．2％的患者MPI正常;而MPI正常者中,61．5％的患者CTCA均有不同程度的狭窄。与CAG比较,CTCA的灵敏度、特异性和准确性高,分别为96．4％（27／28）、83．3％（10／12）和92．5％（37／40）。结论MPI和CTCA在可疑冠心病患者的诊断中提供了不同但却互补的信息,两者应合理联合应用。     

第2代追踪冻结技术下冠状动脉钙化积分、CAD-RADS评分及CT血流储备分数的相关性分析

目的 ：探讨512层螺旋CT第2代追踪冻结技术（SSF2）下冠状动脉钙化积分（CACS）、CT血流储备分数（CT-FFR）与冠状动脉疾病报告和数据系统（CAD-RADS评分）的相关性。方法：以行冠状动脉CT血管成像（CCTA）检查的42例疑似冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病（冠心病）患者为研究对象,检查数据行SSF2算法校正重建与标准重建,比较不同重建方式下图像质量评分、密度、噪声及SNR差异。通过SSF2分析患者的左前降支、左旋支、右冠状动脉CT-FFR值、CACS及狭窄程度,分析CT-FFR、CACS与冠状动脉狭窄程度的相关性。结果：SSF2重建与标准重建比较,图像质量评分更高、噪声更低、SNR更好（均P<0.05）。2名医师对SSF2重建图像质量评判的一致性较好（K=0.848,P<0.001）。左前降支中段、左旋支近段及右冠状动脉远段中度以上狭窄占比均较高。左前降支、左旋支及右冠状动脉均以混合斑块占比较高。左前降支重度钙化、左旋支无钙化及右冠状动脉轻度钙化占比均较高。左前降支、左旋支、右冠状动脉的CAD-RADS评分与CACS均呈中度正相关（r=0.519,0.554,0....     

64层螺旋CT对冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块的诊断价值

目的：探讨64层螺旋CT对冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块的诊断价值。方法：将63例临床诊断为冠心病患者根据临床表现分为二组：急性冠脉综合征（ACS）组和稳定型心绞痛（SAP）组。均行64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像检查,对检出的斑块进行定性分析,并对各种性质斑块所引起的管腔狭窄程度进行分析。结果：63例中ACS组44例,检出软斑块30个,中等密度斑块18个,钙化斑块11个;稳定型心绞痛组19例中检出软斑块6个,中等密度斑块6个,钙化斑块18个,非钙化斑块（软斑块和中等密度斑块）与冠心病危险性有明显的相关性（P〈0.05）;非钙化斑块导致管腔狭窄程度：轻度狭窄14处,中度狭窄14处,重度狭窄32处;钙化斑块导致管腔狭窄程度：轻度狭窄14处,中度狭窄7处,重度狭窄8处,不同性质斑块与其导致管腔狭窄程度无明显的相关性（P〉0.05）。结论：64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像能够对冠状动脉粥样斑块进行定性分析,可作为评价冠心病危险性度的一种检查技术。     

Prognostic value of Morise clinical score, calcium score and computed tomography coronary angiography in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease

Purpose

Our aim was to determine the prognostic value of computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA), coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) and Morise clinical score in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Materials and methods

A total of 722 patients (480 men; 62.7±10.9 years) who were referred for further cardiac evaluation underwent CACS and contrast-enhanced CTCA to evaluate the presence and severity of CAD. Of these, 511 (71%) patients were without previous history of CAD. Patients were stratified according to the Morise clinical score (low, intermediate, high), to CACS (0?C10, 11?C100, 101?C400, 401?C1,000, >1,000) and to CTCA (absence of CAD, nonsignificant CAD, obstructive CAD). Patients were followed up for the occurrence of major events: cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina and revascularisation.

Results

Significant CAD (>50% luminal narrowing) was detected in 260 (36%) patients; nonsignificant CAD (<50% luminal narrowing) in 250 (35%) and absence of CAD in 212 (29%). During a mean follow-up of 20±4 months, 116 events (21 hard) occurred. In patients with normal coronary arteries on CTCA, the major event rate was 0% vs. 1.7% in patients with nonsignificant CAD and 7.3% in patients with significant CAD (p<0.0001). Three hard events (14%) occurred in patients with CACS??100 and two (9.5%) in patients with intermediate Morise score; one revascularisation was observed in a patient with low Morise score. At multivariate analysis, diabetes, obstructive CAD and CACS >1,000 were significant predictors of events (p<0.05).

Conclusions

An excellent prognosis was noted in patients with a normal CTCA (0% event rate). CACS ??100 and low-intermediate Morise score did not exclude the possibility of events at follow-up.     

Predictive value of the coronary artery calcium score and advanced plaque characteristics: Post hoc analysis of the PREDICT registry

BackgroundWhether coronary plaque characteristics assessed in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in association with the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) have predictive value for coronary events is unclear. We aimed to examine the predictive value of the CACS and plaque characteristics for the occurrence of coronary events.MethodsAmong 2802 patients who were analyzed in the PREDICT registry, 2083 with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied using post hoc analysis. High-risk plaques were defined as having ≥2 adverse characteristics, such as low computed tomographic attenuation, positive remodeling, spotty calcification, and napkin-ring sign. An adjudicative composite of coronary events (cardiac death, nonfatal acute coronary syndrome, and coronary revascularization ≥3 months after indexed CCTA) were analyzed.ResultsSeventy-three (3.5%) patients had coronary events and 313 (15.0%) had high-risk plaques. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that high-risk plaques remained an independent predictor of coronary events (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13–3.34, P ?= ?0.0154), as well as the log-transformed CACS (adjusted HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11–1.39, P ?= ?0.0002) and the presence of obstructive stenosis (adjusted HR 5.63, 95% CI 3.22–10.12, P 0.0001). In subgroup analyses, high-risk plaques were independently predictive only in the low CACS class (<100).ConclusionThis study shows that assessment of adverse features by coronary plaque imaging independently predicts coronary events in patients with suspected CAD and a low CACS. Our findings suggest that the clinical value of high-risk plaques to CACS and stenosis assessment appears marginal.     

冠状动脉CT血管成像和运动平板试验对冠心病患者的诊断比较

目的:评价冠状动脉CT血管成像(CCTA)和运动平板试验(TET)对冠心病的诊断价值。方法:以常规冠状动脉造影(CAG)为诊断冠心病(冠脉狭窄≥50%)的"金标准",对同期先后行TET、CCTA和CAG 3种检查的75例疑似冠心病患者进行回顾性分析,将其TET和CCTA的结果与CAG进行比较。结果:TET和CCTA诊断冠心病的敏感度分别为45.2%和90.5%,特异度为69.7%和93.9%,阳性预测值为65.5%和95.0%,阴性预测值为50.0%和88.6%,准确率为56.0%和92.0%,P<0.01。在冠状动脉血管水平CCTA对右冠状动脉、左主干、前降支、回旋支狭窄诊断的准确率分别为86.7%、100.0%、88.0%和76.0%。冠心病患者中TET诊断阳性率与病变血管支数呈正相关(r=0.440,P=0.004);冠心病患者TET诊断结果阳性与阴性仅与血管狭窄程度≥75%狭窄的节段数目有统计学差异(P=0.016)。结论:CCTA诊断冠心病较TET有更高的诊断准确性和较低的诊断假阳性和假阴性,对有症状的疑诊冠心病患者CCTA的诊断具有更重要作用。     

甲状腺功能与冠脉病变程度的相关性研究

目的探讨甲状腺激素水平与冠心病及其严重性的关系。方法冠心病患者158例,根据选择性冠状动脉造影证实冠脉病变狭窄程度,将其分为冠脉狭窄组60例和冠脉无狭窄组（对照组）98例,再将冠脉狭窄组按狭窄累及范围分为单支病变组30例、双支病变组15例和多支（3支以上）病变组15例。采用电化学发光法检测游离三碘甲腺原氨酸（fT3）、游离甲状腺素（fT4）和促甲状腺激素（TSH）水平;采用胆固醇氧化酶法测定高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL．C）、总胆固醇（TC）等指标。采用Gensini评分来评价受试者冠脉狭窄程度。结果与对照组比较,冠脉狭窄的双支病变组和多支病变组患者吼水平显著降低（t=1．947、6．415,P均〈O．05）,冠脉狭窄单支病变组fT4水平显著升高（t=5．026,P〈0．05）。采用Logistic回归分析发现,fT3是冠心病的独立危险因素。以Gensini评分为因变量进行多元线性回归分析发现,几与Gensini评分呈负相关,几每降低0．234pmol／L,Gensini评分升高1分。结论fr,水平在冠状动脉狭窄患者中显著降低,并且与冠心病的严重程度密切相关,是冠心病的独立危险因素;fr。每降低0．234pmol／L,Gensini评分升高1分,可以作为冠心病风险增加的敏感指标。     

多层螺旋CT评估冠状动脉分叉角度对动脉粥样硬化斑块形成的影响

目的探讨冠状动脉前降支（LAD）-对角支（DX）分叉角度与冠状动脉斑块形成和分布的相关性。方法选取我院行64层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影检查者72例,所选患者均无高血脂、高血压和糖尿病病史。原始图像经后处理工作站重建出冠状动脉的二维和三维图像。测量冠脉LAD-DX分叉角度、分叉管壁交点至斑块中心垂直线的直线距离,研究冠脉斑块距分叉处的距离和LAD-DX分叉角度的相关性。结果 33例前降支（LAD）存在斑块的患者中,LAD-DX分叉角度与斑块距分叉处的距离之间存在负相关。12例对角支（DX）有斑块者中,LAD-DX分叉角度与斑块距分叉处的距离之间无相关性。结论冠状动脉分叉角度作为一种潜在血流动力学因素对冠状动脉粥样斑块的形成和分布具有重要影响。     

Coronary calcium score and computed tomography coronary angiography in high-risk asymptomatic subjects: assessment of diagnostic accuracy and prevalence of non-obstructive coronary artery disease

Objectives

The aim of the study was to compare the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) for the assessment of non-obstructive/obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in high-risk asymptomatic subjects.

Methods

Two hundred and thirteen consecutive asymptomatic subjects (113 male; mean age 53.6?±?12.4 years) with more than one risk factor and an inconclusive or unfeasible non-invasive stress test result underwent CACS and CTCA in an outpatient setting. All patients underwent conventional coronary angiography (CAG). Data from CACS (threshold for positive image: Agatston score 1/100/1,000) and CTCA were compared with CAG regarding the degree of CAD (non-obstructive/obstructive; </≥50% lumen reduction).

Results

The mean calcium score was 151?±?403 and the prevalence of obstructive CAD was 17% (8% one-vessel and 10% two-vessel disease). Per-patient sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of CACS were: 97%, 75%, 45%, and 100%, respectively (Agatston?≥1); 73%, 90%, 60%, and 94%, respectively (Agatston?≥100); 30%, 98%, 79%, and 87%, respectively (Agatston?≥1,000). Per-patient values for CTCA were 100%, 98%, 97%, and 100%, respectively (p?<?0.05). CTCA detected 65% prevalence of all CAD (48% non-obstructive), while CACS detected 37% prevalence of all CAD (21% non-obstructive) (p?<?0.05).

Conclusion

CACS proved inadequate for the detection of obstructive and non-obstructive CAD compared with CTCA. CTCA has a high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of non-obstructive and obstructive CAD in high-risk asymptomatic patients with inconclusive or unfeasible stress test results.     

64层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影对冠状动脉狭窄的诊断价值

目的：评价64层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影（64-slice CTCA）诊断冠状动脉狭窄的临床应用价值。方法：对120例临床怀疑冠状动脉疾病及支架置入术、冠脉搭桥术后的患者进行64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像。采用回顾性心电门控扫描,并采用曲面重建、多平面重组,容积再现及最大密度投影技术显示冠状动脉主干及分支,其中30例患者近期行传统冠状动脉造影（CCA）。结果：120例患者可评价冠脉节段1377个,可满足诊断的冠脉节段1341个,占97．39％。30例患者近期行CCA检查,MSCTCA诊断冠脉狭窄节段103个与CCA相符,占88．03％,显示轻、中、重度狭窄及血管闭塞与CCA符合率分别为77．8％、93．3％、91．6％、77．8％,得出64SCTCA诊断冠脉狭窄敏感性97．52％,特异性96．02％,阳性预测值95．16％,阴性预测值96．01％。结论：64层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影在诊断冠状动脉疾病方面有很高的诊断价值,可以成为筛查、排除冠状动脉病变及支架、搭桥术后随访的常规检查方法。     

Coronary artery calcium scoring vs. coronary CT angiography for the assessment of occupationally significant coronary artery disease

BackgroundExisting pathways for investigating coronary artery disease (CAD) in individuals undertaking high-hazard employment are currently guided by coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) or coronary CT angiography (CTA). The optimal pathway has not been established.AimTo compare the diagnostic outcome and occupational recommendations from two differing investigative pathways for the investigation of CAD in a cohort of high-hazard employees.MethodsWe collected CACS and coronary CTA data from three clinics across two Hospitals on 200 consecutive individuals employed in high-hazard occupations to confirm/exclude occupationally significant CAD. High-hazard occupations were grouped into civil/military pilots and aircraft controllers (n ?= ?106); non-pilot aircrew (NPA) (n ?= ?26); and ground-based (military) personnel (GBP) (n ?= ?52). Demographics, referral indications and recommended occupational outcomes between pathways were compared between groups.ResultsThe CACS pathway led to more than double the number of individuals being returned to partial or full employment, compared with the coronary CTA pathway (OR 2.10, [95%CI 1.54–2.85], P ?< ?0.001). This effect was seen in all sub-groups.Of the 177 subjects that would have been returned to full employment using CACS, 21 (11.9%) would have been occupationally restricted on the basis of significant non-calcified plaque disease using coronary CTA (11.4% pilots/controllers; 19.2% non-pilot aircrew, and 7.7% ground-based personnel).ConclusionUsing CACS to determine the presence of occupational CAD risks returning individuals to roles with occupationally significant CAD that may lead to an unacceptably high likelihood of an incapacitating/distracting acute coronary event. Coronary CTA appears to be a more reliable, non-invasive imaging modality for confirming or excluding occupationally significant CAD in high-hazard employees.