Diagnostic role of coronary calcium scoring in the rapid access chest pain clinic: prospective evaluation of NICE guidance.

Background: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) imaging by unenhanced computed X-ray tomography (CT) is recommended as an initial diagnostic test for patients with stable chest pain symptoms but a low likelihood (10-29%) of underlying obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) after clinical assessment. The recommendation has not previously been tested prospectively in a rapid access chest pain clinic (RACPC).

Methods: We recruited 300 consecutive patients presenting with stable chest pain to the RACPC of three hospitals.

Role of multidetector computed tomography in the diagnosis and management of patients attending the rapid access chest pain clinic, The Scottish computed tomography of the heart (SCOT-HEART) trial: study protocol for randomized controlled trial.

Background: Rapid access chest pain clinics have facilitated the early diagnosis and treatment of patients with coronary heart disease and angina. Despite this important service provision, coronary heart disease continues to be under-diagnosed and many patients are left untreated and at risk. Recent advances in imaging technology have now led to the widespread use of noninvasive computed tomography, which can be used to measure coronary artery calcium scores and perform coronary angiography in one examination.

Increased volume of epicardial fat is an independent risk factor for accelerated progression of sub-clinical coronary atherosclerosis.

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), a metabolically active visceral fat depot surrounding the heart, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) through possible paracrine interaction with the coronary arteries. We examined the association of EAT with metabolic syndrome and the prevalence and progression of coronary artery calcium (CAC) burden.

Methods: CAC scan was performed in 333 asymptomatic diabetic patients without prior history of CAD (median age 54 years, 62% males), followed by a repeat scan after 2.

Radiation dose of CT coronary angiography in clinical practice: objective evaluation of strategies for dose optimization.

Background: CT coronary angiography (CTCA) is an evolving modality for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Radiation burden associated with CTCA has been a major concern in the wider application of this technique. It is important to reduce the radiation dose without compromising the image quality.

Evolving role of cardiac CT in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

Non-invasive assessment of coronary artery patency has been attempted with different imaging modalities over the last few decades. The continuous motion of the heart, the respiratory movement, together with the small and tortuous nature of the coronary arteries, made this a technically challenging task. Over the last decade, significant advances in computed tomography (CT) technology helped CT coronary angiography (CTCA) to evolve as a non-invasive alternative to conventional catheter based coronary angiography.

Osteoprotegerin as a predictor of coronary artery disease and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a glycoprotein that acts as a decoy receptor for receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. The OPG/RANKL/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB axis plays an important regulatory role in the skeletal, immune, and vascular systems. The protective role of OPG, in animal models, against vascular calcification has not been replicated in human trials; moreover, increased OPG levels have been consistently associated with the incidence and prevalence of coronary artery disease.

Walking speed and subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy older adults: the Whitehall II study.

Objective: Extended walking speed is a predictor of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older individuals, but the ability of an objective short-distance walking speed test to stratify the severity of preclinical conditions remains unclear. This study examined whether performance in an 8-ft walking speed test is associated with metabolic risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Design: Cross-sectional.