Role of electron-beam computed tomography and nuclear stress testing in cardiovascular risk assessment.
Although it is well recognized that stenotic coronary artery lesions carry a significant risk for cardiac events, the importance of nonstenotic lesions is generally underappreciated. However, many acute myocardial infarctions are caused by lesions that cause <50% stenosis. Coronary artery calcification is being increasingly studied as a marker of risk for cardiac events. Measurement of coronary artery calcium using electron-beam computed tomography is emerging as a useful tool to further risk-stratify patients who are otherwise at intermediate risk for events. Coronary calcium scores have been shown to add independent predictive value to traditional risk assessment.
Raggi
Paolo
P
Department of Medicine, Tulane University Medical Center, Cardiology Section, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA. praggi@tulane.edu
D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors