Loading...
Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is increasingly used for noninvasive diagnosis of suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). This analysis of data from a previously reported randomized, controlled trial of CTA (JW Cardiol Nov 26 2008) included patients initially excluded from that study because of high Agatston coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores (>600) Including these patients in the present analysis allows a full assessment of the effects of coronary calcification and pretest disease probability on test performance.
Of 371 patients, 26% had known CAD, 46% were at intermediate pretest risk for disease (≥50% stenosis), and 26% were at high risk. Angiographically confirmed disease prevalence was 48% in intermediate-risk patients, 70% in…