title: Measurement of coronary calcium scores by electron beam computed tomography or exercise testing as initial diagnostic tool in low-risk patients with suspected coronary artery disease.
abstract: We determined the efficiency of a screening protocol based on coronary calcium scores (CCS) compared with exercise testing in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), a normal ECG and troponin levels. Three-hundred-and-four patients were enrolled in a screening protocol including CCS by electron beam computed tomography (Agatston score), and exercise testing. Decision-making was based on CCS. When CCS>or=400, coronary angiography (CAG) was recommended. When CCS<10, patients were discharged. Exercise tests were graded as positive, negative or nondiagnostic. The combined endpoint was defined as coronary event or obstructive CAD at CAG. During 12+/-4 months, CCS>or=400, 10-399 and <10 were found in 42, 103 and 159 patients and the combined endpoint occurred in 24 (57%), 14 (14%) and 0 patients (0%), respectively. In 22 patients (7%), myocardial perfusion scintigraphy was performed instead of exercise testing due to the inability to perform an exercise test. A positive, nondiagnostic and negative exercise test result was found in 37, 76 and 191 patients, and the combined endpoint occurred in 11 (30%), 15 (20%) and 12 patients (6%), respectively. Receiver-operator characteristics analysis showed that the area under the curve of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.85-0.93) for CCS was superior to 0.69 (95% CI: 0.61-0.78) for exercise testing (P<0.0001). In conclusion, measurement of CCS is an appropriate initial screening test in a well-defined low-risk population with suspected CAD.
authors: Thoraxcenter, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, PB 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands. c.a.geluk@thorax.umcg.nl
authors: Christiane A
authors: CA
authors: Geluk
authors: Riksta
authors: R
authors: Dikkers
authors: Patrick J
authors: PJ
authors: Perik
authors: René A
authors: RA
authors: Tio
authors: Marco J W
authors: MJ
authors: Götte
authors: Hans L
authors: HL
authors: Hillege
authors: Rozemarijn
authors: R
authors: Vliegenthart
authors: Janneke B
authors: JB
authors: Houwers
authors: Tineke P
authors: TP
authors: Willems
authors: Matthijs
authors: M
authors: Oudkerk
authors: Felix
authors: F
authors: Zijlstra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014336:Troponin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014336:Troponin