Prognostic significance of multiple-detector computed tomography in conjunction with TIMI risk score for patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Risk stratification among patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) has been made by clinical scoring. Recently, multiple-detector computed tomography (MDCT) appeared to provide noninvasive coronary angiography (CAG). To clarify the prognostic significance of MDCT, we aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of MDCT in the early management and in predicting the long-term prognosis of NSTE-ACS with low to intermediate risk. Among 84 consecutive patients with NSTEACS, risk stratification using a TIMI risk score was done. A total of 48 patients were categorized as low to intermediate risk. Multiple-detector CT was performed in 30 patients using 16-slice MDCT. MDCT detected coronary stenoses in 18 patients. Compared to invasive CAG, MDCT successfully depicted the coronary stenosis (P < 0.005), with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 86%. The incidence of in-hospital major adverse clinical events (death, subsequent myocardial infarction, revascularization) was significantly higher in patients with a positive MDCT than in those with a negative MDCT test (44% vs 0%, P < 0.005). Moreover, a Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant difference in the event - free survival between MDCT positive and negative groups (33% vs 100%, respectively, P < 0.0001) during the mean follow-up period of 9.9 +/- 7.5 months. Sixteen-slice MDCT in conjunction with a TIMI risk score appeared to demonstrate prognostic significance in patients with NSTE-ACS.