1. [Coronary calcium score using CT in the diagnosis of 2 patients with acute chest pain].
- Author
-
Rijlaarsdam-Hermsen D, Kuijpers TJ, Lamers FL, and van Dijkman PR
- Subjects
- Adult, Age Factors, Calcinosis complications, Chest Pain diagnosis, Chest Pain etiology, Coronary Disease diagnosis, Coronary Vessels metabolism, Diagnosis, Differential, Exercise Test, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, Sensitivity and Specificity, Treatment Outcome, Calcinosis diagnostic imaging, Calcium metabolism, Coronary Angiography methods, Coronary Disease diagnostic imaging, Tomography, X-Ray Computed methods
- Abstract
A 38-year-old man presented with severe retrosternal pain that had persisted for several days. Physical examination, resting ECG and circulating levels of cardiac markers were normal. The patient had continuous pain during a bicycle test, but no signs of myocardial ischaemia were found. A CT scan was performed, and the resulting CT calcium score was 40 Agatston units (AU; > 90th percentile). Coronary angiography showed severe coronary artery disease. An arterial bypass operation took place. Recovery was uncomplicated and the patient remained free of symptoms. A 55-year-old man experienced midsternal pain that lasted 20 minutes before spontaneously subsiding. The ECG and troponine levels were normal. One week later, there were no abnormalities during a bicycle test and the CT calcium score was 0 AU. Therefore, there was no indication of coronary artery disease and a watchful waiting approach was taken. After 1 year of follow-up, the patient remained free of symptoms. For patients aged 45 years or more with acute chest pain and a CT calcium score of 0 AU, further cardiac evaluation is unnecessary. For patients aged less than 45 years, a CT calcium score greater than o is abnormal and requires additional cardiac evaluation.
- Published
- 2007