Electron beam computed tomography for assessment of patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain.
Electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) is a unique, noninvasive radiologic method capable of high-resolution imaging that is being increasingly used for evaluation of the cardiovascular system. Among its multiple applications, coronary artery calcium (CAC) imaging has attracted considerable attention because of the potential of this technique for early detection of coronary artery disease (CAD), the leading cause of mortality in our society. Although measurement of CAC has been primarily performed in the outpatient setting in both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects, several studies have assessed the utility of the method to identify CAD in patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain suggestive of myocardial ischemia but without objective evidence of the latter. This group comprises a majority of those presenting to the emergency department with chest pain, and their safe, accurate and cost-effective evaluation has been a continuing challenge.
McCord
James
J
Division of Cardiology, Henry Ford Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA. mdroccm@yahoo.com
Amsterdam
Ezra A
EA