Prognostic value of coronary computed tomography angiography in stroke patients

- The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is substantial in ischemic stroke patients.
- Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) findings of CAD have prognostic value for future major adverse cardiac events in ischemic stroke patients.
- The CCTA findings of CAD provide additional risk-prediction over coronary artery calcium scores.

Objective: The predictive value of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in stroke patients has not yet been established. We investigated the prognostic value of coronary artery disease (CAD) detection by CCTA, and determined the incremental risk stratification benefit of CCTA findings as compared to coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) in ischemic stroke patients without chest pain. Methods: Among 914 consecutive ischemic stroke patients, 317 (68.5% were male with a mean age of 64 years) who had at least one clinical risk factor for CAD without chest pain were prospectively enrolled to undergo CCTA. CT images were assessed for CAC, presence of CAD and extent of CAD. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) defined as cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring hospitalization, or revascularization after 90 days from index CCTA. Results: The prevalence of CAC ≥1 was 73.1% (232/317) and the average CACS was 346.6 ± 693.5 (Agatston unit). During the median follow-up period of 409 days, there were a total of 26 MACEs. Both CACS [CAC (101-400, and >400)] and CCTA findings [presence of obstructive CAD, 1-vessel disease (VD), 2-VD, and 3-VD] independently stratified risk of future MACEs (all p < 0.05). The time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that CAD findings (presence of obstructive CAD and number of involved vessels) based on CCTA improved risk stratification beyond clinical risk factors and CACS (iAUC: 0.863 vs 0.752, p < 0.05). Conclusion: In ischemic stroke patients without chest pain, CCTA findings of CAD provide additional risk-discrimination over CACS.

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