Coronary computed tomography angiography without significant stenosis predicts favourable three-year prognosis

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of death, cardiovascular events and the use of later non-scheduled imaging for coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients suspected for CAD and discharged without a need for further examination or treatment from an outpatient clinic following coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study among patients discharged from an outpatient clinic after CCTA at our institution during 2009 and 2010. Follow-up was performed using nationwide Danish registers.

RESULTS: A total of 683 (68.2%) out of 1001 patients were discharged from the outpatient clinic after CCTA with no need for further examination. These patients were included in our study. After a median follow-up of 37 months, a low all-cause mortality of 3.7 per 1,000 person-years was found. There was only one case of acute myocardial infarction and no cases of death related to cardiovascular disease. A total of 5.0% of the patients later underwent non-scheduled imaging, predominantly invasive coronary angiography. No patients had revascularisation performed during the study period.

CONCLUSION: Patients with suspected CAD discharged after CCTA with no need for further examination have a favourable cardiovascular prognosis.

FUNDING: not relevant.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.