Journal
CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Volume 19, Issue 1, Pages 37-41Publisher
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
DOI: 10.1097/MCA.0b013e3282f2f19e
Keywords
coronary atherosclerosis; coronary artery disease; coronary computed tomography angiography; diabetes mellitus; risk factors for coronary artery disease
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the plaque composition in asymptomatic diabetic and nondiabetic patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Background CAD is the major cause of death among patients with diabetes. The true prevalence of CAD in asymptomatic diabetic patients, however, remains unknown. Materials and methods A total of 328 consecutive patients (each with at least one risk factor or abnormal stress-test results) were referred for cardiac evaluation, 42 with diabetes and 286 without diabetes, all asymptomatic for cardiac-related symptoms. Groups were matched for age, se) and CAD risk factors. CAD was defined as coronary atherosclerosis, with obstructive or nonobstructive lesions. CCTA was performed and findings compared between patients with diabetes and those without. Results CAD was present in 39 (93%) diabetic patients and in 211 (73%) nondiabetic patients (P=0.006). Obstructive CAD was more common in diabetic patients than in nondiabetic patients (29 vs. 6.6%, respectively; P<0.0001). In diabetic patients, more coronary segments with atherosclerosis per patient were detected (5.5 segments/patient vs. 2.8 segments/patient in nondiabetics; P<0.0001). The total Agatston score was significantly higher in diabetic patients vs. nondiabetic patients (370 +/- 96 and 79.9 +/- 16, respectively; P<0.0001). Conclusion Our results indicate a high prevalence (93%) of CAD in asymptomatic diabetic patients with either nonobstructive or obstructive lesions. CCTA may be a useful imaging modality for selecting patients at high risk who would benefit most from further evaluation for subclinical ischemia. Coron Artery Dis 19:37-41 (c)) 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available