Stress electrocardiography testing in coronary artery disease: Is it time for its swan song or to redefine its role in the modern era ?

Stress electrocardiography (sECG) or treadmill stress testing is a well validated noninvasive diagnostic modality available to clinicians at low cost yet providing valuable functional data for coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnostic and prognostic evaluation. With the advances in cardiac imaging in both functional and anatomic fronts and the existing limitations of sECG testing, this modality appears less favored worldwide as reflected in some recent guideline updates. We review the past present and future of sECG to provide a viewpoint on where it stands in CAD evaluation and if it will remain relevant as a diagnostic modality or be retired going forward. We also provide our perspectives on how sECG can co-exist with other modalities such as calcium scoring and discuss the role of such testing in the Indian population.

Score de calcio coronario en la estratificación de riesgo cardiovascular / Coronary calcium score in cardiovascular risk stratification / Escore de cálcio coronariano na estratificação de risco cardiovascular

Resumen: La enfermedad cardiovascular (CV) es la primera causa de muerte en el mundo y en Uruguay. La prevención CV consiste en un enfoque clínico terapéutico dirigido a disminuir la morbimortalidad CV basado en el riesgo estimado de cada individuo. La estratificación de riesgo CV en individuos asintomáticos con el objetivo de guiar y establecer medidas de tratamiento preventivo es de crucial importancia. Para ello, en el mundo se utilizan scores de riesgo clínico que incluyen el score de riesgo Framingham, el SCORE y el Pooled Cohort Equations, entre otros. Sin embargo, estos scores no son herramientas perfectas de predicción. Los scores estiman el riesgo basado en la distribución del factor de riesgo en una población, mientras que el score de calcio coronario (SCC) es un marcador directo de aterosclerosis coronaria en un individuo determinado. En las últimas tres décadas, numerosos estudios han demostrado la utilidad del SCC como herramienta para la estratificación de riesgo CV. Es, por lo tanto, importante entender cómo, para qué y por qué se realiza.

Summary: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world and in Uruguay. Cardiovascular prevention consists of a therapeutic clinical approach with the objective of reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality based on the estimated cardiovascular risk of each person. Thus, cardiovascular risk stratification in asymptomatic individuals with the objective of guide and establish preventive treatment measures is of crucial importance. For this, clinical risk scores are used worldwide, including the Framingham risk score, the SCORE1 and the Pooled Cohort Equations2, among others. However, these risk scores are not perfect prediction tools. While these global risk scores estimate risk based on the distribution of the risk factor in a population, the coronary calcium score is a direct marker of coronary atherosclerosis in a given individual. In the last three decades, numerous studies have demonstrated the usefulness of the coronary calcium score as a cardiovascular risk stratification tool. It is therefore important to understand how, for what and why it is done.

Resumo: As doenças cardiovasculares são a principal causa de morte no mundo e o Uruguai. A prevenção cardiovascular consiste em uma abordagem clínica terapêutica que visa reduzir a morbimortalidade cardiovascular com base no risco cardiovascular estimado de cada indivíduo. Assim, a estratificação do risco cardiovascular em indivíduos assintomáticos com o objetivo de orientar e estabelecer medidas de tratamento preventivo é de importância crucial. Para isso, os escores de risco clínico são utilizados em todo o mundo, incluindo o escore de risco de Framingham, o SCORE1 e as equações de coorte agrupadas2, entre outros. No entanto, essas pontuações de risco não são ferramentas de previsão perfeitas. Embora essas pontuações globais de risco calculem o risco com base na distribuição do fator de risco em uma população, o escore de cálcio coronariano é um marcador direto da aterosclerose coronariana em um determinado indivíduo. Nas últimas três décadas, numerosos estudos demonstraram a utilidade do escore de cálcio coronariano como uma ferramenta para estratificação de risco cardiovascular. Portanto, é importante entender como, para quê e por que isso é feito.

Calcification Remodeling Index Characterized by Cardiac CT as a Novel Parameter to Predict the Use of Rotational Atherectomy for Coronary Intervention of Lesions with Moderate to Severe Calcification

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of calcification characterization by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to predict the use of rotational atherectomy (RA) for coronary intervention of lesions with moderate to severe calcification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with calcified lesions treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who underwent both CCTA and invasive coronary angiography were retrospectively included in this study. Calcification remodeling index was calculated as the ratio of the smallest vessel cross-sectional area of the lesion to the proximal reference luminal area. Other parameters such as calcium volume, regional Agatston score, calcification length, and involved calcium arc quadrant were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 223 patients with 241 calcified lesions were finally included. Lesions with RA tended to have larger calcium volume, higher regional Agatston score, more involved calcium arc quadrants, and significantly smaller calcification remodeling index than lesions without RA. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the best cutoff value of calcification remodeling index was 0.84 (area under curve = 0.847, p < 0.001). Calcification remodeling index ≤ 0.84 was the strongest independent predictor (odds ratio: 251.47, p < 0.001) for using RA. CONCLUSION: Calcification remodeling index was significantly correlated with the incidence of using RA to aid PCI. Calcification remodeling index ≤ 0.84 was the strongest independent predictor for using RA prior to stent implantation.

Calcification Remodeling Index Characterized by Cardiac CT as a Novel Parameter to Predict the Use of Rotational Atherectomy for Coronary Intervention of Lesions with Moderate to Severe Calcification

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of calcification characterization by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to predict the use of rotational atherectomy (RA) for coronary intervention of lesions with moderate to severe calcification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with calcified lesions treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who underwent both CCTA and invasive coronary angiography were retrospectively included in this study. Calcification remodeling index was calculated as the ratio of the smallest vessel cross-sectional area of the lesion to the proximal reference luminal area. Other parameters such as calcium volume, regional Agatston score, calcification length, and involved calcium arc quadrant were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 223 patients with 241 calcified lesions were finally included. Lesions with RA tended to have larger calcium volume, higher regional Agatston score, more involved calcium arc quadrants, and significantly smaller calcification remodeling index than lesions without RA. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the best cutoff value of calcification remodeling index was 0.84 (area under curve = 0.847, p < 0.001). Calcification remodeling index ≤ 0.84 was the strongest independent predictor (odds ratio: 251.47, p < 0.001) for using RA. CONCLUSION: Calcification remodeling index was significantly correlated with the incidence of using RA to aid PCI. Calcification remodeling index ≤ 0.84 was the strongest independent predictor for using RA prior to stent implantation.

Coronary artery plaque burden and calcium scores in healthy men adhering to long-term wine drinking or alcohol abstinence

Observational studies suggest there are clinical benefits to moderate red wine (RW) consumption. However, the effects on coronary vasculature and overall lifestyle are unclear. We investigated whether a lifestyle of regular long-term RW consumption is associated with changes in coronary plaque burden, calcium score, carotid intima/media thickness, endothelial function, and metabolic variables, compared with alcohol abstinence. Healthy volunteers were evaluated by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) as well as carotid and brachial artery ultrasound. Nutritional status, psychological status, and metabolic variables were assessed. The study included 101 drinkers [aged 58.9±7.3 years (means±SD)], from wine brotherhoods, and 104 abstainers, from Anglican, Evangelical and Catholic churches both in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. No significant differences in demographics were noted. Lesion prevalence per patient assessed by coronary CTA and classified as absent (0), 1-25, 26-49, and ≥50% stenosis was similar between groups. When analyzed by individual arteries, i.e., left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary, prevalence was also not different. On the other hand, calcium scores were higher among drinkers than abstainers (144.4±362.2 vs 122.0±370.3; P<0.01). However, drinkers reported less history of diabetes and exercised more. RW drinkers consumed 2127.9±387.7 kcal/day while abstainers consumed 1836.0±305.0 (P<0.0001). HDL cholesterol was significantly higher among drinkers compared to abstainers (46.9±10.9 vs 39.5±9.0 mg/dL; P<0.001), while fasting plasma glucose was lower (97.6±18.2 vs 118.4±29.6 mg/dL; P<0.02). Liver enzymes were normal in both groups. In conclusion, long-term wine drinkers displayed a similar plaque burden but greater calcium score than abstainers, despite a more atherogenic diet, and the mechanisms for the increased calcium scores in the former remain speculative.

Valor do escore de calcio coronariano para prever a gravidade ou complexidade da doenca arterial coronariana / Value of coronary artery calcium score to predict severity or complexity of coronary artery disease

FUNDAMENTO: A previsão de gravidade ou complexidade da doença arterial coronariana (DAC) é valiosa devido ao aumento do risco de eventos cardiovasculares. Embora a associação entre o escore do cálcio arterial coronariano (CAC), e a gravidade da DAC pelo escore Gensini não tenha sido utilizado, já foi anteriormente demonstrado. Não há informações sobre a associação entre o escore do CAC total e a complexidade da DAC. OBJETIVOS: Investigar a associação entre a gravidade ou complexidade da doença arterial coronariana (DAC), avaliada pelo escore Gensini e SYNTAX (SS), respectivamente, e o escore do cálcio arterial coronariano (CAC), um método não invasivo para avaliação de DAC em pacientes sintomáticos com DAC significativa. MÉTODOS: Duzentos e quatorze pacientes foram incluídos. A pontuação total do CAC foi obtido antes da angiografia. A severidade e complexidade da DAC foram avaliadas pelo escore Gensini e SS, respectivamente. Foram analisadas as associações entre parâmetros clínicos e angiográficos e o escore total do CAC. RESULTADOS: A mediana do escore total do CAC foi de 192 (23,0-729,8), e correlacionou-se positivamente com ambos os escores Gensini (r: 0,299, p < 0,001) e ES (r: 0,577, p < 0,001). Na análise multivariada associou-se independentemente com a idade (ß: 0,154, p: 0,027), sexo masculino (ß: 0,126, p: 0,035) e ES (ß: 0,481, p < 0,001). A análise da curva ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) revelou um valor de corte > 809 para ES > 32 (tercil de SS alto). CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes sintomáticos com DAC significativa, o escore total de CAC foi independentemente associado com SS e os pacientes com SS > 32 podem ser detectados através de escore Agatston alto. .

BACKGROUND: Prediction of severity or complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) is valuable owing to increased risk for cardiovascular events. Although the association between total coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and severity of CAD, Gensini score was not used, it has been previously demonstrated. There is no information about the association between total CAC score and complexity of CAD. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between severity or complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by Gensini score and SYNTAX score (SS), respectively, and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, which is a noninvasive method for CAD evaluation in symptomatic patients with accompanying significant CAD. METHODS: Two-hundred-fourteen patients were enrolled. Total CAC score was obtained before angiography. Severity and complexity of CAD was assessed by Gensini score and SS, respectively. Associations between clinical and angiographic parameters and total CAC score were analyzed. RESULTS: Median total CAC score was 192 (23.0-729.8), and this was positively correlated with both Gensini score (r: 0.299, p<0.001) and SS (r: 0.577, p<0.001). At multivariate analysis, it was independently associated with age (ß: 0.154, p: 0.027), male gender (ß: 0.126, p: 0.035) and SS (ß: 0.481, p< 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed a cut-off value > 809 for SS >32 (high SS tertile). CONCLUSION: In symptomatic patients with accompanying significant CAD, total CAC score was independently associated with SS and patients with SS >32 may be detected through high Agatston score. .

Multidetector Computed Tomography for the Evaluation of Coronary Artery Disease; The Diagnostic Accuracy in Calcified Coronary Arteries, Comparing with IVUS Imaging

PURPOSE: Contrast enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has been used as an alternative to coronary angiography for the assessment of coronary artery disease in the patient of the intermediate risk group. However, coronary calcium is a known limiting factor for MDCT evaluation. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of 64-channel MDCT with each coronary artery calcium score (CACS) by compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 54 symptomatic patients with intermediate-risk (10 females, mean age 59.9+/-6.9 years, Framingham point scores 9-20) with 162 sites who had a culprit lesion on 64-channel MDCT before performing coronary angiography with IVUS were enrolled. Patients were divided into 4 subgroups depending on CACS: 0, 1-99, 100-399, and >400. Lesion length, external elastic membrane (EEM) cross sectional area (CSA), minimal luminal area, and plaque area were measured and compared between IVUS and MDCT. RESULTS: The correlation coefficients for the measurements of the EEM CSA, lumen CSA, and plaque area were r=0.514, r=0.837, and r=0.578, respectively. Furthermore, there were close correlation of plaque area between four subgroups of CACS (r=0.671, r=0.623, r=0.562, r=0.571, respectively). CONCLUSION: Despite the increase in CACS, the geometric analysis of coronary arteries using with 64-channel MDCT was comparable with IVUS in symptomatic patient of the intermediate risk group.

Precisión diagnóstica del espesor íntima-media carotídeo para la detección de aterosclerosis coronaria: utilidad en la práctica clínica / Diagnostic Accuracy of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Detect Coronary Atherosclerosis: usefulness in Clinical Practice

Introducción El espesor íntima-media carotídeo (EIMC) es un marcador independiente de riesgo cardiovascular. El puntaje de calcio coronario (PCC) es un predictor superior al EIMC, pero de costo elevado y en nuestro país pocos pacientes pueden acceder a su medición. Objetivos 1) Evaluar la precisión diagnóstica del EIMC para la detección de un PCC > 0. 2) Determinar el punto de corte óptimo del EIMC para discriminar entre la presencia o la ausencia de calcio coronario. Material y métodos Estudio descriptivo transversal de muestras consecutivas obtenidas en los consultorios de prevención cardiovascular. Se midió el EIMC medio y máximo mediante un eco-Doppler ca-rotídeo. Se efectuó una tomografía computarizada de 64 pistas para la evaluación del PCC. Se determinó la precisión diagnóstica del EIMC para la detección de un PCC > 0 mediante un análisis ROC. Resultados Se incluyeron 202 sujetos consecutivos que participan de un programa de prevención primaria. Características de la población (media ± desviación estándar): edad 57 ± 13 años, sexo femenino: 49%, tabaquismo: 13%, estatinas: 37%, diabetes mellitus: 13%, puntaje de Framingham en no diabéticos: 9% ± 7%, EIMC medio: 0,953 ± 0,342 mm, EIMC máximo: 1,383 ± 0,679 mm, prevalencia de placa aterosclerótica carotídea: 37% y de PCC > 0: 62%. Las correlaciones entre el EIMC medio y máximo y el PCC fueron moderadas (r = 0,56 y r = 0,55, respectivamente). El área bajo la curva ROC del EIMC máximo fue de 0,822 (IC 95% 0,763-0,880) y la del EIMC medio fue de 0,829 (IC 95% 0,771-0,888). El punto de corte óptimo del EIMC máximo para discriminar entre PCC > 0 o PCC = 0 fue de = 1,01 mm y la sensibilidad, la especificidad, el valor predictivo positivo (VPP) y el valor predictivo negativo (VPN) fueron del 78%, 75%, 83% y 67%, respectivamente. El punto de corte óptimo del EIMC medio para discriminar entre PCC > 0 o PCC = 0 fue = 0,82 mm y la sensibilidad, la especificidad, el VPP y el VPN fueron del 77%, 78%, 85% y 67%, respectivamente. Conclusiones En esta población predominantemente de riesgo bajo, la precisión diagnóstica del EIMC para detectar PCC > 0 fue moderada. Una ecografía Doppler carotídea "normal" no excluyó la presencia de aterosclerosis subclínica coronaria. Estos resultados podrían mejorar la selección de pacientes que requieran la medición del PCC para estratificar el riesgo cardiovascular.

Background Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is an independent marker of cardiovascular risk. Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) is better than CIMT to predict coronary artery disease; yet, few patients have access to this evaluation in our country due to its high cost. Objectives The aim of this study was: 1) to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CIMT to detect CACS >0. 2) To determine an optimal cut-off point of CIMT to discriminate between the presence and the absence of coronary artery calcium. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study of consecutive samples obtained in the outpatient clinic of cardiovascular prevention. Mean and maximum CIMT were measured using carotid Doppler ultrasound. Carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque (CAP) was evaluated with a 64-row multidetector computed tomography. The diagnostic accuracy of CIMT to detect CACS >0 was determined by ROC analysis. Results A total of 202 consecutive subjects participating in a primary prevention program were included. Population characteristics were (mean ± standard deviation): age 57±13 years, female gender: 49%, smokers: 13%, statins: 37%, diabetes mellitus: 13%, Framingham risk score in non diabetics: 9%±7%, mean CIMT: 0.953±0.342 mm, maximum CIMT: 1.383±0.679 mm, prevalence of carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque: 37% and of CACS >0: 62%. The correlations between mean and maximum CIMT and CACS were poor (r=0.393 and r=0.376, respectively). The area under the ROC curve of maximum CIMT was 0.822 (95% CI 0.763-0.880) and that of mean CIMT was 0.829 (95% CI 0.771-0.888). The optimal cut-off point of maximum CIMT to discriminate between CACS >0 or CACS = 0 was =1.01 mm and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 78%, 75%, 83% y 67%, respectively. The optimal cut-off point of mean CIMT to discriminate between CACS >0 or CACS = 0 was =0.82 mm and sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 77%, 78%, 85% and 67%, respectively. Conclusions In this low-risk population, the diagnostic accuracy of CIMT to detect CACS >0 was moderate. A "normal" carotid Doppler ultrasound did not exclude the presence of subcli-nical coronary artery atherosclerosis. These results might improve selection of patients undergoing CACS to stratify cardiovascular risk.

Asociación entre algunos factores de riesgo cardiovascular y el puntaje de calcio coronario en pacientes sintomáticos / Association between some cardiovascular risk factors and coronary calcium scoring in symptomatic patients

Introducción: el conocimiento de la carga aterosclerótica global individual es de alta importancia. Su asociación con los factores de riesgo cardiovascular no está bien establecida. Objetivo: determinar la asociación entre algunos factores de riesgo cardiovascular y el puntaje de calcio coronario. Métodos: se estudiaron 169 pacientes sintomáticos con sospecha de cardiopatía isquémica, que de forma consecutiva se realizaron el puntaje de calcio, se identificaron los factores de riesgo y para determinar su asociación se utilizó el modelo de regresión logística. Resultados: el estudio incluyó 106 mujeres y 63 hombres, edad media 59,6 ± 10,8 años vs. 59,5 ± 11,0 años, respectivamente. El 51,9 pociento de las mujeres y el 34,9 porciento de los hombres tuvieron un score = 0. La dosis media de radiación efectiva fue de 0,82 mSv. Las variables sexo masculino > 55 años, femenino > 65 años, hábito de fumar, diabetes mellitus, edad, número de factores de riesgo, VLDL, triglicéridos y HDL, mostraron asociación significativa con algunos de los valores de corte del puntaje de calcio establecidos. En el análisis multivariado, la edad, el hábito de fumar, los triglicéridos y la HDL como factor protector, tuvieron coeficientes significativamente diferentes de 0, siendo la edad la que tuvo mayor influencia en el valor del score de calcio > 0 y ³ 100 y la HDL en el valor ³ 400. Conclusiones: solamente algunos factores de riesgo muestran asociación con el puntaje de calcio coronario, fundamentalmente la edad y los niveles de HDL como factor protector

Introduction: knowledge of an individual's overall atherosclerotic burden is extremely important. Its association with cardiovascular risk factors has not been well established. Objective: determine the association between some cardiovascular risk factors and coronary calcium scoring. Methods: a study was conducted of 169 symptomatic patients with suspected ischemic heart disease. The patients consecutively underwent calcium scoring and risk factor identification. Association between the two values was determined by logistic regression modeling. Results: 106 patients were women and 63 were men; mean age was 59.6 ± 10.8 and 59.5 ± 11.0, respectively. 51.9 percent of the women and 34.9 percent of the men had a score = 0. Mean effective radiation dose was 0.82 mSv. The variables male patient aged > 55, female patient aged > 65, smoking, diabetes mellitus, age, number of risk factors, VLDL, triglycerides and HDL showed a significant association with some of the calcium score cut-off values established. In the multivariate analysis, age, smoking, triglycerides and HDL as a protective factor, exhibited coefficients significantly different from 0, with age exerting the greatest influence upon the calcium score > 0 and ³ 100 value, and HDL upon the ³ 400 value. Conclusions: only some risk factors show an association with coronary calcium score, particularly age and HDL levels as a protective factor

Puntuación de calcio coronario y grosor de íntima media carotídea en pacientes con sospecha de cardiopatía isquémica / Coronary calcium score and thickness of carotid middle intima in patients with suspicion of ischemic heart disease

INTRODUCCIÓN: El score de calcio coronario y la cuantificación del grosor de íntima media son métodos en desarrollo que se utilizan en el diagnóstico de aterosclerosis. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la relación del puntaje de calcio coronario con los factores de riesgo cardiovasculares clásicos y el grosor de la íntima media carotídea. MÉTODOS: Se tomaron 70 pacientes con sospecha de cardiopatía isquémica. A todos se les cuantificó el calcio coronario por tomografía de 64 cortes y el grosor de íntima media en carótidas por ultrasonido. Usando la variable dependiente (score de calcio coronario) de forma continua, fue realizada una regresión lineal simple para obtener los coeficientes de regresión (a). El nivel de significación estadística (a) con que se trabajó fue del 95 por ciento (valor p < 0,05 como estadísticamente significativo). RESULTADOS: El puntaje de calcio fue superior en individuos del sexo masculino y se incrementó de manera lineal con el decursar de las décadas de edad, por cada año que se incrementa la edad, aumenta en 11,4 UA el score de calcio. El coeficiente de correlación entre el score de calcio y la edad fue de 0,36 estadísticamente significativo (p= 0,002). El 88,9 por ciento de los pacientes con grosor íntima media mayor de 1 mm tenían algún grado de calcificación coronaria, fue 2 veces mayor que los que presentaron un grosor de íntima media menor que 1 mm. El valor de la correlación (r) con el grosor de la íntima media carotídea fue de 0,24 (p= 0,04). CONCLUSIONES: La edad, el sexo masculino y el aumento del grosor íntima media carotídea se relacionan de manera significativa con la presencia y cuantía de la calcificación coronaria

INTRODUCTION: The coronary calcium's score and the quantification of media intima thickness are developing methods used in atherosclerosis diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To assess the coronary calcium score relation to classic cardiovascular risk factors and the carotid media intima thickness. METHODS: Sample included 70 patients with suspicion of ischemic heart disease. In all of them the coronary calcium was quantified by 64 scans tomography and the media intima thickness by medias of ultrasound (US). Using continuously the dependent variable (coronary calcium score) we made a simple linear regression to obtain the regression coefficients (a). The statistic significance level (a) used was of 95 percent (value p < 0,05 as statistically significant). RESULTS: Calcium score was higher in male sex subjects increasing linearly and annually with age in 11.4 UA. The correlation coefficient between calcium score and age was of 0.36 statistically significant (p = 0,002). The 88,9 percent of patients with a media intima thickness greater than 1mm had some degree of coronary calcification, was twice greater than those with a media intima thickness less than 1mm. Correlation value (r) with carotid media intima thickness was of 0.24 (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Age, male sex and increase of carotid media intima thickness, is significantly related to presence and quantity of coronary calcification

Utilidad del score de calcio en el diagnóstico de enfermedad coronaria obstructiva / Usefulness of the calcium score in the diagnosis of obstructive coronary disease

Introducción: La presencia de calcio en las coronarias es prácticamente patognomónica de aterosclerosis. En el año 1990, Agatston diseño un método para cuantificar el calcio a través de la tomografía. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el valor del puntaje de calcio coronario para confirmar o descartar obstrucción coronaria significativa. Métodos: Se incluyeron 276 pacientes (80 por ciento del sexo masculino y edad media de 56±10 años) con sospecha de cardiopatía isquémica, a los que inicialmente se les realizó cuantificación del calcio coronario a través de la tomografía de 64 cortes y luego coronariografía por cateterismo. Se determinó sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo, valor predictivo negativo, razones de verosimilitudes, índice de kappa y validez diagnóstica para puntos de corte 0, 25, 50, 100 y 400 Unidades Agatston (UA) de puntaje de calcio por pacientes y arterias para diagnosticar estenosis coronaria significativa tomando como patrón de referencia la coronariografía invasiva, así como el área bajo la curva ROC. Se consideró significativo una p<0,05 y un índice de confiabilidad del 95 por ciento. Resultados: La sensibilidad, especificidad y el valor predictivo negativo fueron 96 por ciento, 51 por ciento y 92,4 por ciento respectivamente y kappa de 0,46 (IC 95 por ciento, 0,37-0,56), (p<0,0001) para punto de corte 0 UA, y para punto de corte 50 UA fueron 84 por ciento; 80 por ciento y 84 por ciento respectivamente con kappa de 0,64 (IC 95 por ciento, 0,56-0,74), (p<0,0001). El área bajo la curva ROC en el análisis por pacientes fue 0,887±0,020 (0,848-0,926)...

Introduction: The presence of calcium in coronary arteries is practically pathognomonic of the atherosclerosis. In 1990, Agatston designed a method for to quantify the calcium by tomography. The aim of present paper was to determine the coronary calcium score to confirm or to rule out a significant coronary obstruction. Methods: In present study authors included 276 patients (80 percent of male sex and a mean age of 56 ± 10 years) with suspect of ischemic heart disease, who initially underwent a quantification of coronary calcium by 64 scans tomography and then a catheterization coronariography. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, credibility reasons, Kappa index and diagnostic validity for scan points 0, 25, 50, 100 and 400 Agatston (AU) of calcium score for patients and arteries to diagnose a significant coronary stenosis taking as reference pattern the invasive coronary one, as well as the area under the ROC curve. A p <0,05 and a reliability rate of 95 percent were considered as significant. Results: The sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value were of 96 percent, 51 percent and 92,4 percent, respectively and a Kappa index of 0,46 (95 percent CI, 0,37-0,56), (p <0,0001) for a scan point 0 UA and for a scan point 50 UA were of 84, percent, 80 percent and 84 percent, respectively with a Kappa index of 0,64 (95 percent CI, 0,56-0,74),(<0,0001). In analysis by patients the area under the ROC curve, the sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value were of 91 percent, 66 percent and 96 percent, respectively with a Kappa index of 0,43 (95 percent CI, 0,39-0,48), (p<0,0001) and for the scan point 25 UA 83 percent and 94 percent, respectively with a Kappa index of 0,58 (95 percent CI, 0,52-063), (p<0,0001)...

Relationship Between Serum Bilirubin Levels and Coronary Atherosclerosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes / 당뇨병

BACKGROUND: Lipid oxidation and formation of oxygen radicals have been identified to be the important factors of atherogenesis. Because bilirubin, a potent physiological antioxidant inhibits lipid oxidation, it is suggested that low serum concentrations of bilirubin is associated with atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between bilirubin levels and coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: The coronary calcium score (CCS) of 172 subjects (male 63, mean age 60.5 +/- 1.0) with type 2 diabetes were evaluated in Yeungnam University Hospital between January 2005 and February 2007. The subjects were divided into two groups with CCS 10 as the cut off. RESULTS: Higher CCS was significantly associated with lower bilirubin (P < 0.05), but after adjusted with age, no longer correlation were seen (P = 0.121). To determine the relationship between subclinical coronary atherosclerosis and bilirubin, the subjects with previous history of cardiovascular disease were excluded. In 138 subjects (male 54, mean age 58.4 +/- 1.1), higher CCS was significantly associated with lower levels of bilirubin. After adjusted with age, duration of diabetes, and history of hypertension, CCS was also inversely related with bilirubin (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lower levels of bilirubin might be considered as a risk factor of coronary artery disease, especially in type 2 diabetics without cardiovascular disease.