Key result
CAC zero carries a ~98% negative predictive value for obstructive CAD in acute chest pain.
Why the study?
Conventional functional tests and coronary CT angiography for acute chest pain evaluation face availability and complexity challenges, prompting review of coronary artery calcification utility in acute settings.
Does a coronary artery calcification score of zero accurately rule out obstructive CAD and predict favorable outcomes in patients with acute chest pain?
Design
Review
Authors
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CAC zero may aid rule-out in acute chest pain; leaves open prospective validation before practice change.
Does a coronary artery calcification score of zero accurately rule out obstructive CAD and predict favorable outcomes in patients with acute chest pain?
A CAC score of zero provides a high negative predictive value (~98%) for obstructive CAD and predicts excellent short-term outcomes in patients presenting with acute chest pain, offering a fast and simple alternative to conventional testing.
Damani et al. (2025) conducted a review in Acute chest pain. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) scoring was evaluated. The absence of coronary artery calcification (CAC Zero) demonstrates a ~98% negative predictive value for obstructive coronary artery disease and predicts excellent short- and intermediate-term prognoses in patients with acute chest pain.
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