Seguridad de la angiografía por tomografía computada coronaria en pacientes con dolor torácico agudo para el alta del servicio de urgencias

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between the results of coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography and the development of acute coronary events during the first six months of following in adult patients with acute chest pain seen in the emergency department of an IV level hospital. Materials and methodsA retrospective and descriptive study was conducted that included patients with chest pain that were seen in the emergency department, between February 2012 and February 2014. All of them (n=62) underwent coronary CT angiography in a 40 detector Siemens CT scanner. The 46 patients who had a negative result or a non-obstructive plaque were included in the analysis, and were followed up over 6 months through medical records or by telephone. Patients who were not able to be tracked during the 6 months, or who had a coronary obstructive plaque greater than 50%, were excluded. ResultsCoronary CT angiography was performed on 46 patients, finding healthy coronary arteries in 37 (80%) cases and non-obstructive plaques in 9 (20%). There were no acute coronary events or deaths secondary to this during the follow-up period of 6 months. ConclusionCoronary CT angiography is a useful diagnostic aid for the evaluation of patients with acute chest pain. It is a safe tool and rapid to perform, which allows defining negative results or the existence of a non-obstructive plaque in the emergency department itself.