Evaluation of three diagnostic algorithms to reduce normal scan rates, radiation exposure and costs in patients with suspected chronic coronary syndrome referred for 82Rb-Positron Emission Tomography (Rb-PET).

Background: The majority of functional ischemia tests in patients with suspected chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) yield normal results. Implementing gatekeepers for patient preselection, such as pretest probability (PTP) and/or coronary artery calcium score (CACS), could reduce the number of normal scan results, radiation exposure and costs. However, the efficacy and safety of these approaches remain unclear.

Diagnostic utility of coronary artery calcium score percentiles and categories to exclude abnormal scans and relevant ischemia in rubidium positron emission tomography.

Background: Despite clinical suspicion, most non-invasive ischemia tests for coronary artery disease (CAD) reveal unremarkable results. Patients with a coronary artery calcium score (CACS) of zero rarely have an abnormal positron emission tomography (PET) and could be deferred from further testing. However, most patients have some extent of coronary calcification.