Noninvasive coronary angiography using multidetector computed tomography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease and a non-diagnostic exercise treadmill test result

Background and objective: We aimed to establish the diagnostic and prognostic usefulness of noninvasive coronary angiography using multidetector computer tomography (MDCT) in patients with clinical suspicion of coronary artery disease (CAD) and a non-diagnostic exercise treadmill test result. Patients and method: Retrospective analysis in 33 patients evaluating the incidence of revascularization and hospitalization due to myocardial infarction or angina, and death. Results: There were obstructive lesions in 7 (21%), non-obstructive lesions in 18 (55%), absence of lesions in 6 (18%), and, finally, 2 patients (6%) had an MDCT deemed as non-evaluable. The follow-up was extended Lip to 21 (10) months. Events appeared in 5 (15%) patients: 4 myocardial revascularizations in the group with obstructive coronary stenosis, and I cardiovascular death in the group With non-obstructive coronary lesions. No events were recorded among those 6 patients without coronary lesions nor in those 2 with non-evaluable MDCT studies. Conclusions: Patients with Suspected CAD and a non-diagnostic exercise test present with a high prevalence of CAD when Studied by MDCT and have a high incidence of cardiovascular events. The severity of stenosis as assessed by MDCT relates to cardiovascular events during the follow-up. (C) 2008 Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.