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BACKGROUND: Electron beam CT (EBCT) is an accurate, noninvasive method to detect and quantify coronary artery calcification, a marker of coronary artery disease (CAD). This investigation examined the accuracy of EBCT to detect obstructive CAD (> or =50% stenosis) and determined the optimal strata for quantity of coronary artery calcification to facilitate clinical decision-making. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical research patients (n=213) were examined with coronary angiography and EBCT (angiography group), and 765 research participants were examined with only EBCT (nonangiography group). Of the angiography group, 53% had obstructive CAD. After adjustment for verification bias, the estimated sensitivity and specificity for calcium score > or =1 were 97.0% and 72.4%, respectively. Likelihood ratios for strata of calcium score associated with obstructive CAD were calculated in each sex and 2 age groups. Among those > or =50 years old, the same 4 strata of EBCT calcium scores were identified in each sex; likelihood ratios ranged from 0.03 (calcium score 0) to 12.85 (calcium score > or =200). The same 3 strata EBCT calcium scores were identified in each sex among those or =100). CONCLUSIONS: A calcium score > or =200 among those > or =50 years old and calcium score > or =100 among those or =50 years old did not have obstructive CAD.
Bielak et al. (Tue,) studied this question.