Pre-operative computed tomography coronary angiography to detect significant coronary artery disease in patients referred for cardiac valve surgery.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the diagnostic performance of 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) to rule out or detect significant coronary stenosis in patients referred for valve surgery.


BACKGROUND
Invasive conventional coronary angiography (CCA) is recommended in most patients scheduled for valve surgery.


METHODS
During a 6-month period, 145 patients were prospectively identified from a consecutive patient population scheduled for valve surgery. Thirty-five patients were excluded because of CTCA criteria: irregular heart rhythm (n = 26), impaired renal function (n = 5), and known contrast allergy (n = 4). General exclusion criteria were: hospitalization in community hospital (n = 4), no need for CCA (n = 4), previous coronary artery bypass surgery (n = 1), or percutaneous coronary intervention (n = 4). Of the remaining 97 patients, 27 denied written informed consent. Thus, the study population comprised 70 patients (49 male, 21 female; mean age 63 +/- 11 years).


RESULTS
Prevalence of significant coronary artery disease, defined as having at least 1 > or =50% stenosis per patient, was 25.7%. Beta-blockers were administered in 71%, and 64% received lorazepam. The mean heart rate dropped from 72.5 +/- 12.4 to 59.5 +/- 7.5 beats/min. The mean scan time was 12.8 +/- 1.3 s. On a per-patient analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were: 100% (18 of 18; 95% confidence interval [CI] 78 to 100), 92% (48 of 52; 95% CI 81 to 98), 82% (18 of 22; 95% CI 59 to 94), and 100% (48 of 48; 95% CI 91 to 100), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice CTCA for ruling out the presence of significant coronary stenoses in patients undergoing valve surgery is excellent and allows CTCA implementation as a gatekeeper for invasive CCA in these patients.
Meijboom
Willem B
WB
Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Mollet
Nico R
NR
Van Mieghem
Carlos A G
CA
Kluin
Jolanda
J
Weustink
Annick C
AC
Pugliese
Francesca
F
Vourvouri
Eleni
E
Cademartiri
Filippo
F
Bogers
Ad J J C
AJ
Krestin
Gabriel P
GP
de Feyter
Pim J
PJ
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000592:standards; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D008140:Lorazepam