MONDAY, Aug. 3 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with stable coronary artery disease, coronary artery calcification scores are better long-term predictors of severe cardiac events than single photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging results alone, according to a study published online July 31 in Radiology.

Christopher Uebleis, M.D., of the University of Munich in Germany, and colleagues performed coronary artery calcification scoring and single photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging in 260 patients.

After a median follow-up of 5.4 years, the researchers found that the coronary artery calcification score and summed rest score were the only independent predictors of event-free survival. They also found that a coronary artery calcification score above 400 had better prognostic value than single photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging results alone.

"Coronary artery calcification scoring may help to identify patients at particular risk for severe cardiac events, who may benefit from more comprehensive medical therapy and shorter follow-up intervals," the authors write.

Abstract
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