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Coronary artery calcium testing in low-intermediate risk symptomatic patients with suspected coronary artery disease: An effective gatekeeper to further testing?
- Source :
-
PLoS ONE . 10/13/2020, Vol. 15 Issue 10, p1-14. 14p. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Computed tomography for quantification of coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a simple non-invasive tool to assess atherosclerotic plaque burden. CAC is highly correlated with coronary atherosclerosis and is a robust predictor of cardiovascular outcomes. Recently, the 2018 ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guidelines endorsed the use of CAC scores in asymptomatic, intermediate risk individuals where the decision to initiate stain therapy is uncertain. However, whether quantification of CAC may play a role in the assessment of symptomatic individuals remains a matter of debate. In this review, we examine the evidence for the use of CAC in low-intermediate risk patients with chest pain. This appraisal places a particular focus on the growing body of literature supporting the negative predictive value of a CAC score of zero to rule out significant coronary artery disease in those without high-risk features. We also evaluate current guidelines, limitations, and future research directions for CAC scoring in this important subgroup of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 146408968
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240539