Correlation of coronary calcification and angiographically documented stenoses in patients with suspected coronary artery disease: results of 1,764 patients

AbstractOBJECTIVESThis study correlated the electron beam computed tomographic (EBCT) calcium scores with the results of coronary angiography in symptomatic patients in order to assess its value to predict or exclude significant coronary artery disease (CAD).BACKGROUNDElectron beam computed tomography is a sensitive method to detect coronary calcium. However, it is unclear whether it may play a role as a filter before invasive procedures in symptomatic patients.METHODSA total of 1,764 patients (1,225 men and 539 women) with suspected CAD from a single center were included in our study. All patients underwent calcium screening with EBCT (C150XP Imatron) and conventional coronary angiography.RESULTSFifty-six percent of men and 47% of women revealed significant coronary stenoses (≥50%). Total exclusion of coronary calcium (14% of the study group) was associated with an extremely low probability of stenosis (