Coronary calcium score influences referral for invasive coronary angiography after normal myocardial perfusion SPECT.

Background: In patients with normal SPECT but persistent complaints, invasive angiography may exclude obstructive coronary disease. We assessed whether high coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores are associated with increased referral for invasive angiography following normal SPECT.

Methods And Results: 2286 consecutive patients (mean age 60 ± 12, 39% male) with normal SPECT were assessed.

Changes in cardiovascular medication after coronary artery calcium scanning and normal single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging in symptomatic patients.

Unlabelled: The impact of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring on subsequent changes in cardiovascular medication use in symptomatic patients with normal myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) findings is not well established. The aim of the current study was to evaluate changes in aspirin and statin use in patients suspected for coronary artery disease after CAC scoring and normal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) MPI.

Methods: In the current study, 1,033 stable symptomatic patients without a known history of coronary artery disease with normal SPECT MPI who underwent concomitant CAC scoring were included.

Prognostic Value of Myocardial Perfusion Imaging with a Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride SPECT Camera in Patients Suspected of Having Coronary Artery Disease.

The prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with the cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) SPECT camera is not well established. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the prognostic value of MPI performed with a CZT SPECT camera in a large cohort of patients suspected of having coronary artery disease. Consecutive symptomatic stable patients ( = 4,057) without a history of coronary artery disease underwent CZT SPECT MPI.

Impact of Gender on the Prognostic Value of Coronary Artery Calcium in Symptomatic Patients With Normal Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Myocardial Perfusion.

The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score provides independent prognostic value on top of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). We sought to determine whether the prognostic value of the CAC score in patients with normal SPECT MPI is gender specific. We studied 3,705 consecutive symptomatic patients without a history of coronary artery disease with normal SPECT MPI.

Angiographic underestimation of disease severity in the left anterior descending artery: a fractional flow reserve analysis.

Objectives: This study compared the prevalence of angiographic underestimation of left anterior descending artery (LAD) lesions with non-LAD lesions.

Background: Coronary angiography cannot assess the functional severity of a coronary stenosis. Previous studies suggested that lesions of the LAD are more often angiographically underestimated, but evidence is limited.

Prognostic Value of Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring in Addition to Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomographic Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in Symptomatic Patients.

Background: The prognostic value of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring on top of myocardial perfusion imaging with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients suspected for coronary artery disease is not well established.

Methods And Results: Four thousand eight hundred ninety-seven symptomatic patients without a history of coronary artery disease referred for SPECT and CAC scoring were included. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were defined as late revascularization (>90 days after scanning), nonfatal myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality.

Sequential SPECT/CT imaging starting with stress SPECT in patients with left bundle branch block suspected for coronary artery disease.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of left bundle branch block (LBBB) on sequential single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/ CT imaging starting with stress-first SPECT.

Methods: Consecutive symptomatic low- to intermediate-risk patients without a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) referred for SPECT/CT were included from an observational registry. If stress SPECT was abnormal, additional rest SPECT and, if feasible, coronary CT angiography (CCTA) were acquired.

Sequential SPECT/CT imaging for detection of coronary artery disease in a large cohort: evaluation of the need for additional imaging and radiation exposure.

Background: Performing both single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in patients suspected for coronary artery disease (CAD) leads to increased radiation exposure. We evaluated the need for additional imaging and following implications for radiation exposure of a sequential SPECT/computed tomography (CT) algorithm.

Methods And Results: 5018 consecutive patients without history of CAD were referred for stress-first SPECT and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring.

Prognostic value of normal stress-only myocardial perfusion imaging: a comparison between conventional and CZT-based SPECT.

Purpose: Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging has proven to have prognostic importance in patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The recently introduced ultrafast cadmium zinc telluride (CZT)-based gamma cameras have been associated with less equivocal findings and more normal interpretations, allowing stress-only imaging to be performed more often. However, it is yet unclear whether normal stress-only CZT SPECT has comparable prognostic value as normally interpreted stress-only conventional SPECT.