Diagnostic and predictive value of coronary artery calcification in coronary artery stenosis

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of coronary artery diseases (CADs) may lead to more efficient treatments. Coronary artery calcification is considered as a valuable index in detecting CAD using a noninvasive technique. This study was conducted to determine the correlation between coronary artery calcification and coronary artery stenosis in patients with typical chest pain.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۷۶۰ patients suffering from typical chest pain, in Chamran Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. The patients  were all candidates for coronary angiography and were studied for the calcification of coronary artery by fluoroscopy. All patients signed a consent form after the whole procedures were fully explained to them. A fluoroscopic movie was taken from patients (after exposing, and before inserting the angiographic catheter), then the angiography was conducted using Judkins technique.  The results of fluoroscopy and angiography were recorded by two cardiologists separately. The presence of any significant stenosis greater than ۷۵% was considered as a sign of severe CAD. The data was analyzed by chi-square test.RESULTS: Abnormal angiogram was found in ۴۰۲ patients (۵۹.۲%). Positive and negative predictive values for calcification were ۸۱.۸% and ۲۶%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were respectively ۸۷.۱% and ۶۳.۴% in females, and ۷۹.۷% and ۴۷.۳% in males. The highest predictive value (۱۰۰%) was seen in patients under ۴۰ years old. Coronary calcification in patients with abnormal coronary angiogram was found to be ۵.۴ times greater than those with normal angiogram. CONCLUSION: Considering the high predictive value of coronary artery calcification in fluoroscopy, it can be used as a replacement for screening coronary involvement.Keywords: Calcification, Coronary Vessels, Coronary Disease, Diagnosis