NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Multislice CT detects proximal coronary atherosclerotic plaque or obstructive coronary artery disease in “a significant proportion” of patients with a low or intermediate Framingham risk score, according to research conducted at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

The study included 295 consecutive patients with suspected cardiac symptoms or equivocal stress test results who were stratified into low, intermediate or high-risk based on Framingham data.

Dr. Milind Y. Desai told Reuters Health, results of MSCT coronary angiography showed that “44% of patients in the low risk group and 75% in the intermediate risk group had evidence of proximal left anterior descending artery or left main artery plaque,” This is a concern because “most heart attacks occur in proximal lesions that are not severe.”

Based on current guidelines, MSCT coronary angiography may be indicated in symptomatic individuals with intermediate risk scores, Dr. Desai said. “In certain low-risk individuals, I would clinically consider it,” he added.

Reference:
Am J Cardiol 2008;102:316-320.