1. Background
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause of heart attack and death in the world (1). Since CAD imposes a high economic burden to the health system, it is important to identify the best accurate test for diagnosing CAD in order to reduce time and cost consumption.
Recently, coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) which is a noninvasive imaging method with high diagnostic accuracy (2) is used for detecting coronary artery stenosis. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) which is a good marker of atherosclerosis is evaluated at the beginning of CCTA with less radiation and it is an established predictor of cardiovascular events (3-6). Most frequently, the Agatston score has been used to measure the total coronary calcified plaque (7). Therefore, if we demonstrate that the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) has a high diagnostic accuracy in diagnosing and excluding coronary artery disease, we can prevent unnecessary critical and invasive interventions in the treatment of patients suspicious of CAD.
2. Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), specificity, and sensitivity of CACS less than 100 in predicting coronary artery stenosis in patients with a low to intermediate risk of CAD in a vessel-based analysis.
3. Patients and Methods
3.1. Patient Enrollment
This was a cross sectional study carried out in Tehran, Iran among consecutive stable patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of CAD who were referred to Shahid Rajaee and Imam Khomeini cardiology center between January 2008 and May 2013. After obtaining written informed consent from the patients, 2527 patients underwent CCTA and calcium scoring. The study design was approved by the institutional review committee of hospitals. Exclusion criteria were previous coronary artery stent placement, increased serum creatinine level, and an allergic response to intravenous contrast materials.
3.2. CT Protocol and Image Acquisition
One thousand three hundred forty three patients were scanned on a dual source, 128-slices (256 data output channels) multi detector CT scan (Somatom definition flash, Siemens medical solutions, Syngo CT2011A, Germany, 2009) in Shahid Rajaee hospital and the others were scanned on a GE 64 multi-slice CT scan (GE Lightspeed VCT 64 slice CT scanner, USA, 2006) in Imam Khomeini hospital. Patients who were on a beta-blocker continued their medication but the other patients did not receive a beta-blocker to decrease their heart rate (the 128-slice dual source scanner is a very fast scanner that can provide high quality images in a patient with high or irregular heart rate and it is not necessary to prescribe a beta-blocker before scan to control the heart rate). Before coronary CT angiography, CAC scoring was performed with non overlapping images with a slice thickness of 3 mm and medium sharp convolution Kernel (B35f). Following calcium scoring, all patients received a single puff of nitroglycerin 0.4 mg (GLYTRIN 0.4 mg/dose, Sanofi, Moreton Wirral, UK). After 2 minutes, a bolus of 80 mL of iohexol (Omnipaque 350, 350 mg/mL, GE Healthcare, Ireland cork, Ireland) followed by 30 mL saline chaser, was injected into an antecubital vein via a catheter (injection rate 4 - 6 mL/second according to venous catheter gauge) (6). Contrast-agent application was controlled by bolus-tracking in the aortic root. CT angiography and image acquisition started 10 s after the signal attenuation reached the predefined threshold of 130 Hounsfield units (HU). ECG-pulsing for radiation dose reduction was applied in all patients. With two tubes and two detectors mounted at orthogonal orientation in the gantry, the transmitted data required for the reconstruction of one image slab could be acquired in 3 – 5 seconds breath holding.
Axial images were reconstructed with 0.75 mm slice thickness and using medium soft tissue Kernel (B26f) and retrospective ECG gating. The reconstructions were performed in best of diastole and systole for using circulation application.
3.3. Image Analysis
For image analysis, the coronary artery tree was separated into 18 segments (within four main coronary artery vessels: LM, left main; LAD, left anterior descending artery; RCA, right coronary artery; and LCX, left circumflex artery) according to the society of cardiovascular computed tomography (SCCT) guidelines. Each segment diameter was > 1.5 mm. For assessment of stenosis severity, we used recommended quantitative stenosis grading with a little modification. Recommended quantitative stenosis grading defines coronary stenosis severity as: 0, normal: absence of plaque and no luminal stenosis; 1, minimal: plaque with < 25% stenosis; 2, mild: 25 - 49% stenosis; 3, moderate: 50 - 69% stenosis; 4, severe: 70 - 99% stenosis; and 5, occluded. We modified this grading to: 0, normal: absence of plaque and no luminal stenosis; 1, mild: 1 - 49% stenosis; 2, moderate: 50 - 69% stenosis; 3, severe: 70 - 99% stenosis; 4, occluded. In addition, for evaluation of obstruction in each of the four coronary arteries, three cut off points were described: at least one segment with any kind of stenosis (0), at least one segment with ≥ 50% stenosis (≥ 50), and at least one segment with ≥ 70% stenosis (≥ 70).
CAC scores which identify as distribution of imaging pixels with calcification density > 130 HU were calculated in each coronary artery (LM, LAD, RCA, and LCX) by using the Agatston score method. The total coronary artery calcium score was also calculated (7).
Each patient with coronary CT angiogram was evaluated by two experienced cardio thoracic interventional radiologists who were unaware of the clinical history of the patients. Consensus was obtained by consultation on cases with different reports.
3.4. Statistical Analysis
Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for windows, version 16.0 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA). We used one-way ANOVA test to obtain mean values of calcium scoring for each artery.
4. Results
Totally, 2527 patients underwent cardiac CT angiography between January 2008 and May 2013. Among them, 1343 studies were carried out with 256 slice machine in Rajayee hospital and the others were performed with 64 slice machine in Imam Khomeini hospital.
The mean age of the patients was 57 ± 12.6 (7 - 93) years old. Totally, 1458 (58.8%) of the patients were male.
In all patients, the degree of stenosis in each main artery (LM, LAD, LCX, and RCA) was determined. In addition, the total calcium scoring and calcium scoring in four mentioned main branches was determined.
Presence and degree of stenosis in different portions of LAD, LCX, RCA, and LM were determined (Table 1).
Table 1. Presence and Severity of Stenosis in Different Parts of Coronary Arteriesa
| Normal | Mild Stenosis (1 - 50%) | Moderate Stenosis (51 - 70%) | Severe Stenosis (71 - 99%) | Complete Occlusion (100%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LM | 2089 (82.7) | 262 (10.4) | 65 (2.6) | 105 (4.2) | 6 (0.2) |
| LAD | |||||
| Proximal portion | 1322 (52.3) | 375 (14.8) | 238 (9.4) | 444 (17.6) | 148 (5.9) |
| Mid portion | 1459 57.7 () | 247 (9.8) | 204 (8.1) | 427 (16.9) | 190 (7.5) |
| Distal portion | 2241 (88.7) | 99 (3.9) | 48 (1.9) | 90 (3.6) | 49 (1.9) |
| LCX | |||||
| Proximal portion | 1787 (70.7) | 273 (10.8) | 128 (5.1) | 268 (10.6) | 71 (2.8) |
| Mid portion | 2114 (83.7) | 109 (4.3) | 68 ()2.7 | 159 (6.3) | 77 (3) |
| Distal portion | 2384 (94.3) | 32 (1.3) | 27 (1.1) | 50 (2) | 34 (1.3) |
| RCA | |||||
| Proximal portion | 1769 (70) | 294 (11.6) | 99 (3.9) | 266 (10.5) | 99 (3.9) |
| Mid portion | 1840 (72.8) | 169 (6.7) | 110 (4.4) | 233 (9.2) | 175 (6.9) |
| Distal portion | 2069 (81.9) | 111 (4.4) | 70 (2.8) | 170 (6.7) | 107 (4.2) |
Abbreviations: LAD, left anterior descending; LCX, left circumflex; LM, left main; RCA, right coronary artery.
aValues are expressed as No. (%).
Considering the maximum severity stenosis in each artery, we determined the whole situation of LAD, LCX, and RCA. For example, if the proximal portion of LAD had moderate stenosis and the other parts had mild stenosis or were normal, the whole LAD was labeled as moderate stenosis. Accordingly, the frequency of different severity stenosis in each artery was determined (Table 2). Different severities of LM are mentioned in Table 1.
Table 2. Frequency of Stenosis and Clinically Significant Stenosis in Each Coronary Arterya
| Normal | Mild Stenosis (1 - 50%) | Moderate Stenosis (51 - 70%) | Severe Stenosis (71 - 99%) | Complete Occlusion (100%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LM | 2089 (82.7) | 262 (10.4) | 65 (2.6) | 105 (4.2) | 6 (0.2) |
| LAD | 1057 (41.8) | 330 (13.1) | 308 (12.2) | 527 (20.9) | 305 (12.1) |
| LCX | 1622 (64.2) | 265 (10.5) | 166 (6.6) | 339 (13.4) | 135 (5.3) |
| RCA | 1503 (59.5) | 266 (10.5) | 135 (5.3) | 345 (13.7) | 278 (11) |
| Whole heart | 349 (13.8) | 287 (11.4) | 461 (18.2) | 483 (19.1) | 947 (37.5) |
Values are Abbreviations: LAD, left anterior descending; LCX, left circumflex; LM, left main; RCA, right coronary artery.as No. (%).
aValues are expressed as No. (%).
Clinically significant stenosis in the LM was considered as a stenosis greater than 50%, while it was considered in other arteries when the stenosis was greater than 70%. In addition, we combined the data of all arteries and determined the stenosis in the whole heart (Table 2).
On the other hand, we determined the mean calcium scoring of each artery separately and compared it among different patients categorized according to maximum severity. In ANOVA tests performed for comparison of the calcium scores, it was shown that the calcium scoring is increased with greater severity of the arterial stenosis (all P values < 0.001) (Table 3).
Table 3. Mean Calcium Scoring in Different Severities of Stenosis in Each Coronary Arterya
| Normal | Mild Stenosis | Moderate Stenosis | Severe Stenosis | Complete Occlusion (100%) | P Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1 - 50%) | (51 - 70%) | (71 - 99%) | ||||
| LM calcium scoring | 2.9 ± 23.3 | 16.4 ± 46.3 | 23.2 ± 62.7 | 50.1 ± 93 | 21.1 ± 48.5 | < 0.0001 |
| LAD calcium | 13.5 ± 128 | 81.6 ± 282.6 | 135.3 ± 216.2 | 311.6 ± 351.2 | 375.3 ± 444.6 | < 0.0001 |
| LCx calcium | 12.2 ± 111.3 | 54.2 ± 117.4 | 101.6 ± 127 | 130.5 ± 225 | 144.3 ± 199.5 | < 0.0001 |
| RCA calcium | 10.9 ± 108.8 | 91.6 ± 258.8 | 152 ± 232.5 | 297.5 ± 499.6 | 237.3 ± 319.3 | < 0.0001 |
| Whole heart calcium scoring | 21.8 ± 372.7 | 105.4 ± 433 | 218.4 ± 439.3 | 537.9 ± 740.8 | 736.2 ± 723.4 | < 0.0001 |
Abbreviations: LAD, left anterior descending; LCX, left circumflex; LM, left main; RCA, right coronary artery; SD, standard deviation.
aValues are expressed as mean ± SD.
In LAD, the frequency of zero calcium scoring in normal or non-significant stenosis was 91.6% (2152/2349) while this frequency was 63.1% in LM significant stenosis (111/176) (P < 0.001).
This profile was significant in LAD, LCX, RCA, and the whole heart too (all P values < 0.001) (Table 4).
Table 4. Frequency of Zero Calcium Scoring in Normal or Non-Significant Stenosis in Each Aarteries and the Whole Heart
| Zero Calcium Score, % | P Value | |
|---|---|---|
| LM calcium scoring | < 0.0001 | |
| Normal or non significant stenosis | 91.60 | |
| Significant Stenosis | 63.10 | |
| LAD calcium scoring | < 0.0001 | |
| Normal or non significant stenosis | 61.80 | |
| Significant Stenosis | 8.10 | |
| LCX calcium scoring | < 0.0001 | |
| Normal or non significant stenosis | 72.70 | |
| Significant Stenosis | 18.40 | |
| RCA calcium scoring | < 0.0001 | |
| Normal or non significant stenosis | 74.30 | |
| Significant Stenosis | 14.10 | |
| Whole Heart calcium scoring | < 0.0001 | |
| Normal or non significant stenosis | 59 | |
| Significant Stenosis | 7.60 |
Abbreviations: LAD, left anterior descending; LCX, left circumflex; LM, left main; RCA, right coronary artery.
The frequency of zero calcium scoring in LM, LAD, LCX, RCA, and the whole heart was 89.6%, 44%, 62.4%, 59.4%, and 39.8%, respectively.
Considering a cut off point of 100 for calcium scoring, we determined the diagnostic efficacies of this measurement for diagnosis of significant stenosis in the whole heart.
The result has been mentioned as follows:
Whole heart: sensitivity = 0.7911 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7637 - 0.8166); specificity = 0.8780 (95% CI: 0.8609 - 0.8937); efficiency (correct classification rate) = 0.8455 (95% CI: 0.8309 - 0.8594); PPV = 0.7945 (95% CI: 0.7672 - 0.8199); NPV = 0.8758 (95% CI: 0.8585 - 0.8916); positive likelihood ratio (PLR) = 6.4845 (95% CI: 5.6588 - 7.4307); negative likelihood ratio (NLR) = 4.2028 (95% CI: 3.7069 - 4.7651).
5. Discussion
The main finding of our study is that at the cutoff point of 100 for coronary calcium scoring we have a high specificity (87%), high sensitivity (79%), high efficiency (84%), high PPV (79%), and high NPV (87%) in the diagnosis of significant stenosis in the whole heart. In our study, the frequency of zero calcium scoring in normal or non-significant stenosis and significant stenosis in the whole heart was 59% and 7.6%, respectively. Also, it was shown that the calcium scoring increased with greater severity of the arterial stenosis (P values < 0.001).
Recently, the performance of CACS for diagnosing stenosis in coronary arteries has been discussed widely. Many studies emphasize that higher CACS is associated with progressive atherosclerosis and an increased prevalence of coronary artery stenosis (3, 8-11), similar to the results in our study.
In our study, we found that at the cutoff point of 100, we have high specificity (87%), sensitivity (79%), efficiency (84%), PPV (79%), and high NPV (87%) for diagnosing significant stenosis and excluding CAD. Despite this high NPV we cannot surely exclude significant coronary stenosis in patients with CACS less than 100.
In our study, the frequency of zero calcium scoring in normal or non-significant stenosis in LM, LAD, LCX, RCA, and the whole heart was 91.6%, 61.8%, 72.7%, 74.3%, and 59%, respectively. In significant stenosis, it was 63.1%, 8.1%, 18.4%, 14.1%, and 7.6%, respectively. LM artery plaques are less calcified, so we have a higher percentage of significant stenosis among patients with zero CACS. Some studies reported that a calcium score of zero can rule out significant stenosis (12-16), but in our study, we cannot surely exclude significant stenosis in patients with a CACS of zero or less than 100. Our results were consistent with other studies which concluded that although CACS is a good marker of atherosclerosis and it is an established predictor of cardiovascular events (3-5), CACS of zero does not exclude obstructive stenosis (10) and CCTA is highly superior than a CACS in CAD detection (17). There are some differences in results between these studies that can be due to differences in measurement techniques, equipment, patient classification, diffuse non significant calcium burden, and complicated plaques.
Our study was limited because of time and cost restriction. Our gold standard for evaluating CACS for diagnosing stenosis was CCTA instead of invasive coronary angiography, which is the gold standard method of detection of CAD. On the other hand, different studies have shown that 64-slice multi detector CT scan, which is the most usual scanner used for CAD detection, has 90 - 94% sensitivity and 96 - 100% NPV (16, 18, 19) and a more advanced device such as 128-slice CT has a higher detection rate (20).
We conclude that coronary calcium scoring provided useful information. In CACS less than 100, it has a negative predictive value of 87% in excluding significant stenosis in patients with a risk of CAD, but it does not have enough diagnostic accuracy for excluding coronary stenosis. Therefore, we should perform both CAC scoring and coronary CT angiography in combination for patients.
