Prognostic Value of Coronary CT Angiography in Patients With Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Per E. Sigvardsen
  • Jesper J. Linde
  • Martina de Knegt
  • Thomas Fritz-Hansen
  • Jan Bech
  • Jørgen T. Kühl
  • Ilan E. Raymond
  • Ole P. Kristiansen
  • Ida H. Svendsen
  • M. H. Domínguez Vall-Lamora
  • Charlotte Kragelund
  • Tem Jørgensen
  • Rolf Steffensen
  • Birgit Jurlander
  • Jawdat Abdulla
  • Stig Lyngbæk
  • Hanne Elming
  • Erik Jørgensen
  • Lene Kløvgaard
  • Lia E. Bang
  • Steffen Helqvist
  • Søren Galatius
  • Frants Pedersen
  • Ulrik Abildgaard
  • Peter Clemmensen
  • Kari Saunamäki
  • Henning Kelbæk

Background: Severity and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by invasive coronary angiography (ICA) guide treatment and may predict clinical outcome in patients with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS). Objectives: This study tested the hypothesis that coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) is equivalent to ICA for risk assessment in patients with NSTEACS. Methods: The VERDICT (Very Early Versus Deferred Invasive Evaluation Using Computerized Tomography in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes) trial evaluated timing of treatment in relation to outcome in patients with NSTEACS and included a clinically blinded coronary CTA conducted prior to ICA. Severity of CAD was defined as obstructive (coronary stenosis ≥50%) or nonobstructive. Extent of CAD was defined as high risk (obstructive left main or proximal left anterior descending artery stenosis and/or multivessel disease) or non–high risk. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death, nonfatal recurrent myocardial infarction, hospital admission for refractory myocardial ischemia, or heart failure. Results: Coronary CTA and ICA were conducted in 978 patients. During a median follow-up time of 4.2 years (interquartile range: 2.7 to 5.5 years), the primary endpoint occurred in 208 patients (21.3%). The rate of the primary endpoint was up to 1.7-fold higher in patients with obstructive CAD compared with in patients with nonobstructive CAD as defined by coronary CTA (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22 to 2.49; p = 0.002) or ICA (HR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.11; p = 0.007). In patients with high-risk CAD, the rate of the primary endpoint was 1.5-fold higher compared with the rate in those with non–high-risk CAD as defined by coronary CTA (HR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.18 to 2.07; p = 0.002). A similar trend was noted for ICA (HR: 1.28; 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.69; p = 0.07). Conclusions: Coronary CTA is equivalent to ICA for the assessment of long-term risk in patients with NSTEACS. (Very Early Versus Deferred Invasive Evaluation Using Computerized Tomography in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes [VERDICT]; NCT02061891)

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology
Volume77
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)1044-1052
Number of pages9
ISSN0735-1097
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Mar 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 American College of Cardiology Foundation

    Research areas

  • acute coronary syndrome, angiography, cardiac computed tomography, prognosis, risk stratification

ID: 285725705