Rationale, design and methods of CTCA-PRORECAD (Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography Prognostic Registry for Coronary Artery Disease): a multicentre and multivendor registry.
OBJECTIVE
This study was done to assess the prognostic value of computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) in a large multicentre population of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and, in particular, its incremental value compared with traditional methods for risk stratification.


METHODS
This is a retrospective observational study that began in January 2003 conducted on patients with suspected CAD assessed with CTCA on the basis of symptoms (chest pain, dyspnoea) and/or abnormal or equivocal stress test and/or a high cardiovascular risk profile. The participating centres will provide data obtained with CTCA performed with 16-slice or higher equipment. Exclusion criteria are renal insufficiency, allergy to iodinated contrast material, pregnancy and previous myocardial infarction or revascularisation (percutaneous coronary intervention and/or coronary artery bypass graft). All patients are stratified by means of clinical assessment and/or data retrieved from a clinical database. Risk factors considered are hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, family history and obesity. Symptoms are classified as absent, typical chest pain, atypical chest pain and dyspnoea. Primary endpoints are death, major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiac death, unstable angina requiring hospitalisation, acute myocardial infarction) and shifting of cardiovascular risk category on the basis of coronary plaque burden. The secondary endpoint is coronary revascularisation. Telephone interviews and/or clinical databases are used for the follow-up. The study will be conducted on a population >1,000 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The information collected from the Prognostic Registry for Coronary Artery Disease (PRORECAD) will provide insight into the prognostic value of CTCA in addition to demographic and clinical features. The results will allow for better use and interpretation of CTCA for prognostic purposes.
Dipartimento di Radiologia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Parma, Italy.
E
E
Maffei
M
M
Midiri
V
V
Russo
M
M
Rengo
C
C
Tedeschi
P
P
Spagnolo
S
S
Seitun
M
M
Francone
A I
AI
Guaricci
N
N
Carrabba
R
R
Malagò
A
A
Cuocolo
T
T
Arcadi
O A
OA
Catalano
F
F
Cademartiri
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003287:Contrast Media; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012042:Registries; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media