Angiographic Severity Of Coronary Disease Research Articles

The association between triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and all-cause mortality in acute coronary syndrome after coronary revascularization.

AimsHigh triglycerides (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are cardiovascular risk factors. A positive correlation between elevated TG/HDL-C ratio and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events exists in women. However, utility of TG to HDL-C ratio for prediction is unknown among acute coronary syndrome (ACS).MethodsFasting lipid profiles, detailed demographic data, and clinical data were obtained at baseline from 416 patients with ACS after coronary revascularization. Subjects were stratified into three levels of TG/HDL-C. We constructed multivariate Cox-proportional hazard models for all-cause mortality over a median follow-up of 3 years using log TG to HDL-C ratio as a predictor variable and analyzing traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We constructed a logistic regression model for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) to prove that the TG/HDL-C ratio is a risk factor.ResultsThe subject’s mean age was 64 ± 11 years; 54.5% were hypertensive, 21.8% diabetic, and 61.0% current or prior smokers. TG/HDL-C ratio ranged from 0.27 to 14.33. During the follow-up period, there were 43 deaths. In multivariate Cox models after adjusting for age, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and severity of angiographic coronary disease, patients in the highest tertile of ACS had a 5.32-fold increased risk of mortality compared with the lowest tertile. After adjusting for conventional coronary heart disease risk factors by the logistic regression model, the TG/HDL-C ratio was associated with MACEs.ConclusionThe TG to HDL-C ratio is a powerful independent predictor of all-cause mortality and is a risk factor of cardiovascular events.

135 CLINICAL APPLICATION AND REPRODUCIBILITY OF CENTRAL PRESSURE AUGMENTATION USING RADIAL ARTERY PULSE WAVE ANALYSIS

BackgroundThe use of surrogate measures for central artery blood pressure (BP) is now commonplace, including radial artery pulse wave analysis (PWA). Prior studies have examined central augmentation index (cAI), defined...

Techniques for Phenotyping Coronary Artery Disease in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory for Applications in Translational Research

The catheterization laboratory is an excellent resource for translational research projects requiring phenotypic analysis of coronary artery disease. Coronary angiography, a traditional method of quantifying coronary disease, remains useful for describing the extent and the severity of angiographic coronary disease but is limited by the fact that angiography only depicts the effect of atherosclerosis on the arterial lumen. For this reason, quantitative coronary angiography has been supplemented by intravascular ultrasound and other catheter-based techniques and non-invasive methods for studies involving atherosclerosis progression and regression. Other angiographic based techniques potentially useful in research include the semi-quantification of collateral circulation, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count, and TIMI blush score. The invasive assessment of coronary flow reserve and fractional flow reserve is a valuable adjunctive technique and can be used to precisely quantify the extent of ischemia or the presence of microvascular disease. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is currently considered the gold standard for early diagnosis of coronary atherosclerosis and for measuring plaque burden. The serial measurements of changes in plaque volume over time are a valuable method of discerning plaque progression and regression. Similarly, radiofrequency backscatter IVUS, a relatively new imaging modality, can be used to describe and track changes in plaque composition.

Usefulness of Contrast Echocardiography for Predicting the Severity of Angiographic Coronary Disease in Non–ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Guidelines recommend coronary angiography in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) within 24 to 72 hours, a requirement that cannot always be met. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of contrast echocardiography in prioritizing these patients by identifying those with NSTEMI and angiographically severe coronary artery disease (CAD). Echocardiography was performed before coronary angiography in 110 patients with NSTEMI (67 ± 12 years old, 31% women). Segmental myocardial perfusion and wall motion was scored using a 17-segment left ventricular model. CAD was assessed by quantitative coronary angiography. In the total study population, median troponin T level was 0.27 μg/L (0.13 to 0.86) and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction risk score 3.1 ± 1.5. By quantitative coronary angiography 15% had normal coronary angiographic findings, whereas 1-, 2-, and 3-vessel disease were present in 35%, 27%, and 23%, respectively. Severe CAD (left main stem stenosis, 3-vessel disease, or multivessel disease including proximal stenosis in left anterior descending artery) was found in 42%. Number of segments with hypoperfusion increased with CAD severity from 4.1 ± 2.0 in patients with normal coronary arteries to 5.9 ± 2.4, 7.8 ± 3.5, and 10.4 ± 2.8 in patients with 1-, 2-, and 3-vessel disease, respectively (p<0.01). In multiple logistic regression analysis risk of severe CAD increased by 39% for every additional hypoperfused segment by echocardiography independent of wall motion abnormalities and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction risk score. In conclusion, contrast echocardiography may be used for prediction of angiographic CAD severity in patients with NSTEMI awaiting coronary angiography.

The triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio predicts all-cause mortality in women with suspected myocardial ischemia: A Report From the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE)

High triglycerides (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are important cardiovascular risk factors in women. The prognostic utility of the TG/HDL-C ratio, a marker for insulin resistance and small dense low-density lipoprotein particles, is unknown among high-risk women. We studied 544 women without prior myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization, referred for clinically indicated coronary angiography and enrolled in the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE). Fasting lipid profiles and detailed demographic and clinical data were obtained at baseline. Multivariate Cox-proportional hazards models for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events (death, myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke) over a median follow-up of 6 years were constructed using log TG/HDL-C ratio as a predictor variable and accounting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Mean age was 57 +/- 11 years; 84% were white, 55% hypertensive, 20% diabetic, 50% current or prior smokers. Triglyceride/HDL-C ranged from 0.3 to 18.4 (median 2.2, first quartile 0.35 to <1.4, fourth quartile 3.66-18.4). Deaths (n = 33) and cardiovascular events (n = 83) increased across TG/HDL-C quartiles (both P < .05 for trend). Triglyceride/HDL-C was a strong independent predictor of mortality in models adjusted for age, race, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and angiographic coronary disease severity (hazard ratio 1.95, 95% CI 1.05-3.64, P = .04). For cardiovascular events, the multivariate hazard ratio was 1.54 (95% CI 1.05-2.22, P = .03) when adjusted for demographic and clinical variables, but became nonsignificant when angiographic results were included. Among women with suspected ischemia, the TG/HDL-C ratio is a powerful independent predictor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events.

Predictive value of coronary artery stenoses and C-reactive protein levels in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Introduction and aims Coronary occlusions resulting in acute events often occur at the site of non-severe stenoses. We sought to assess the prognostic value of non-obstructive coronary stenoses and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with chronic stable angina (CSA). Methods We studied 790 consecutive patients with CSA who underwent routine coronary arteriography. High sensitivity CRP and coronary angiograms were assessed at study entry. Angiographic coronary disease severity was graded using a “vessel score” (number of coronary arteries showing at least 50% reduction in lumen diameter) and extent of disease with an “extension score” (proportion of the coronary artery tree showing angiographically detectable atheroma). Patients were followed up for 1 year. Results Significant left main stem disease was present in 54 patients (6.8%). 368 patients (46.6%) underwent revascularization. 71 patients (9%) had at least one of the events comprised in the combined study end-point (unstable angina, myocardial infarction (AMI) and cardiac death). Patients who suffered cardiac adverse events had a significantly higher vessel score ( n) (2.0 [2.0–3.0] vs. 2.0 [1.0–2.0], P < 0.001), extension score (%) (23.5 [17–34.5] vs. 16.0 [6.0–27.0], P < 0.001) and CRP levels (mg/L) (3.0 [1.8–7.2] vs. 2.3 [1.1–4.7], P = 0.001) compared to patients without events. Age, previous history of AMI, vessel score, extension score and CRP levels were significantly associated with the study end-point. Multivariate analysis showed extension score (OR 5.3 [2.8–10.3] CI 95%; P < 0.001), revascularization (OR 0.26 [0.14–0.48] CI 95%; P < 0.001) and CRP levels (OR 1.9 [1.1–3.2] CI 95%; P = 0.03), but not vessel score ( P = 0.1), to be independent predictors of the combined end-point. Conclusions In patients with CSA, independently of revascularization, extension score and CRP levels predict cardiac adverse events, regardless of the presence or absence of flow limiting coronary lesions.

Randomized, Controlled Trial of Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Versus Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease

The Stent or Surgery Trial is a randomized, controlled trial comparing percutaneous coronary intervention with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for patients with multivessel disease. Initial results at a median follow-up of 2 years showed a survival advantage for patients randomized to CABG. This article reports survival outcome at a median follow-up of 6 years. A total of 988 (n=488 percutaneous coronary intervention, n=500 CABG) patients were randomized at 53 centers during the period from 1996 to 1999. Investigators established survival status from hospital or community medical records or national databases or by direct contact with patients and their relatives. All-cause mortality was compared with hazard ratios and confidence intervals calculated from Cox proportional hazards models. Prespecified subgroup analyses for diabetes mellitus, angina grade, and angiographic severity of coronary disease at baseline were performed with tests for interaction. At a median follow-up of 6 years, 53 patients (10.9%) died in the percutaneous coronary intervention group compared with 34 (6.8%) in the CABG group (hazard ratio 1.66, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 2.55, P=0.022). Little evidence was found that the treatment effect on mortality differed between subgroups according to baseline angina grade (interaction test P=0.52), the severity of coronary disease (P=0.92), or diabetic status (P=0.15). At a median follow-up of 6 years, a continuing survival advantage was observed for patients managed with CABG, which is not consistent with results from other stent-versus-CABG studies.

Abstract 4178: Cardiovascular Event-Free Survival in Post-Menopausal Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Results from the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation

Background: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a greater frequency and clustering of cardiac risk factors. Despite this, the link between PCOS and cardiovascular disease has not been established. Objective: This study’s aim was to evaluate cardiovascular (CV) prognosis in women with biochemical and clinical evidence of PCOS in 390 post-menopausal women (not taking exogenous hormone therapy) prospectively enrolled in the NIH-NHLBI sponsored Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE). Methods: PCOS (n=104) was defined by a premenopausal history of irregular menses accompanied by biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenemia. Hyperandrogenemia was defined as the top quartile of either androstenedione ≥701 pg/ml], testosterone (T; ≥30.9 ng/dl), free T (≥4.5 pg/ml), or androgen index (free T /sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG] ≥9.9], or lowest quartile of SHBG (≥30.8 nmol/l). Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate CV death (CVD) or myocardial infarction (MI) (n=52). Results: Women with evidence of hyperandrogenemia were more often diabetic (p&lt;0.0001), obese (p=0.005), had the metabolic syndrome (p&lt;0.0001), and experienced menopause at a younger age (p=0.026). Women meeting criteria for PCOS had a 2.6-fold (95% CI=1.5– 4.5) higher risk of CVD or MI (p&lt;0.0001) (see Figure ). This relationship was maintained in a risk-adjusted model controlling for diabetes, hypertension, and angiographic coronary disease severity (p=0.001). Conclusion: Among post-menopausal women undergoing coronary angiography for suspected ischemia, PCOS is associated with worsening cardiovascular event-free survival.

Exercise Electrocardiogram Testing

Exercise testing remains the most widely accessible and relatively inexpensive method for initial evaluation of suspected coronary disease and for evaluation of its severity.1–3 Clinical usefulness has been limited, however, by poor sensitivity of standard ST-segment depression criteria for assessment of anatomic and functional coronary disease severity and for prediction of risk.1,2,4–6 Recent data make it clear that symptomatic obstructive plaques that typically result in exercise-mediated ischemia may be less relevant to infarction and sudden death than less obstructive unstable plaques.7 These limitations mandate a rethinking of the exercise ECG along 2 distinct lines: First, is it possible to improve the diagnostic value of the exercise ECG? Second, separate from its ability to diagnose obstructive coronary artery lesions, can the exercise test be used as a prognostic tool that can encourage effective prevention of premature deaths or coronary events? Both goals take us beyond the ST segment. Reversible ST-segment depression is the characteristic finding associated with exercise-induced, demand-driven ischemia in patients with significant coronary obstruction but no flow limitation at rest. This process differs from the flow-limited acute coronary syndromes because exercise-related ischemia is generally limited to the subendocardium and is proportional to increases in myocardial oxygen demand. Ventricular waveforms of the ECG can be related to the net uncanceled transmural gradients between endocardial and epicardial myocardium, as extrapolated from the work of Holland and Brooks, among others.8–10 Accordingly, isoelectric TQ and ST segments in normal and in nonischemic patients can be related to comparable resting membrane and action potential plateau voltages in endocardial and epicardial action potentials. During exercise, progressive ischemia results in changing endocardial action potentials during both diastole and systole. Less negative endocardial cell resting membrane potential leads to current flow across the ischemic boundary during diastole, leading to elevation of the TQ …

Is systolic blood pressure recovery after exercise a predictor of mortality?*1

An attenuated systolic blood pressure recovery after exercise has been associated with the severity of atherosclerotic heart disease. For 6 years, we observed 12,379 patients who underwent symptom-limited exercise testing. We excluded patients receiving antihypertensive medication and patients with valvular disease, emphysema, end-stage renal disease, heart failure, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and atrial fibrillation. Blood pressure recovery ratio was defined as the ratio of systolic blood pressure at 3 minutes into recovery to systolic blood pressure at peak exercise; this has been shown to correlate with angiographic severity of coronary disease. The blood pressure recovery ratios ranged from 0.36 to 1.62, with values for increasing quartiles of 0.72 ± 0.05, 0.82 ± 0.02, 0.88 ± 0.02, and 0.99 ± 0.07. During follow-up, there were 430 deaths (3%). Five-year Kaplan Meier survival rates were 0.975, 0.974, 0.969, and 0.966 in quartiles 1 to 4, respectively. Compared with patients in the lowest quartile of blood pressure recovery ratio, patients in the highest quartile were at somewhat increased risk (hazard ratio, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.31–2.24; P <.001). However, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, resting heart rate and blood pressure, peak systolic blood pressure, heart rate recovery, exercise chronotropic response, cardiac history, and standard risk factors, this association was no longer present (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.8–1.38; P = .74). In this low-risk population, abnormal systolic blood pressure recovery after exercise was not independently predictive of mortality after correcting for differences in baseline and exercise characteristics.

Is systolic blood pressure recovery after exercise a predictor of mortality?

Background An attenuated systolic blood pressure recovery after exercise has been associated with the severity of atherosclerotic heart disease. Methods For 6 years, we observed 12,379 patients who underwent symptom-limited exercise testing. We excluded patients receiving antihypertensive medication and patients with valvular disease, emphysema, end-stage renal disease, heart failure, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and atrial fibrillation. Blood pressure recovery ratio was defined as the ratio of systolic blood pressure at 3 minutes into recovery to systolic blood pressure at peak exercise; this has been shown to correlate with angiographic severity of coronary disease. Results The blood pressure recovery ratios ranged from 0.36 to 1.62, with values for increasing quartiles of 0.72 ± 0.05, 0.82 ± 0.02, 0.88 ± 0.02, and 0.99 ± 0.07. During follow-up, there were 430 deaths (3%). Five-year Kaplan Meier survival rates were 0.975, 0.974, 0.969, and 0.966 in quartiles 1 to 4, respectively. Compared with patients in the lowest quartile of blood pressure recovery ratio, patients in the highest quartile were at somewhat increased risk (hazard ratio, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.31–2.24; P <.001). However, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, resting heart rate and blood pressure, peak systolic blood pressure, heart rate recovery, exercise chronotropic response, cardiac history, and standard risk factors, this association was no longer present (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.8–1.38; P = .74). Conclusions In this low-risk population, abnormal systolic blood pressure recovery after exercise was not independently predictive of mortality after correcting for differences in baseline and exercise characteristics.

Heart rate recovery after exercise is a predictor of mortality, independent of the angiographic severity of coronary disease

Heart rate recovery after exercise is a predictor of mortality, independent of the angiographic severity of coronary disease

Heart rate recovery after exercise is apredictor of mortality, independent of the angiographic severity of coronary disease

ObjectivesWe sought to determine whether abnormal heart rate recovery predicts mortality independent of the angiographic severity of coronary disease. BackgroundAn attenuated decrease in heart rate after exercise, or heart rate recovery (HRR), has been shown to predict mortality. There are few data on its prognostic significance once the angiographic severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) is ascertained. MethodsFor six years we followed 2,935 consecutive patients who underwent symptom-limited exercise testing for suspected CAD and then had a coronary angiogram within 90 days. The HRR was abnormal if ≤12 beats/min during the first minute after exercise, except among patients undergoing stress echocardiography, in whom the cutoff was ≤18 beats/min. Angiographic CAD was considered severe if the Duke CAD Prognostic Severity Index was ≥42 (on a scale of 0 to 100), which corresponds to a level of CAD where revascularization is associated with better long-term survival. ResultsSevere CAD was present in 421 patients (14%), whereas abnormal HRR was noted in 838 patients (29%). There were 336 deaths (11%). Mortality was predicted by abnormal HRR (hazard ratio [HR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.0 to 3.1; p < 0.0001) and by severe CAD (HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6 to 2.6; p < 0.0001); both variables provided additive prognostic information. After adjusting for age, gender, standard risk factors, medications, exercise capacity, and left ventricular function, abnormal HRR remained predictive of death (adjusted HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.0; p < 0.0001); severe CAD was also predictive (adjusted HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.9; p = 0.008). ConclusionsEven after taking into account the angiographic severity of CAD, left ventricular function, and exercise capacity, HRR is independently predictive of mortality.

Heart rate recovery as a predictor of mortality independent of the angiographic severity of coronary disease

Heart rate recovery as a predictor of mortality independent of the angiographic severity of coronary disease

Association of exercise-induced ventricular ectopic activity with thallium myocardial perfusion and angiographic coronary artery disease in stable, low-risk populations

This study sought to determine the association of exercise-induced ventricular ectopic activity with thallium perfusion defects and severity of angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD). Two cohorts consisting of adults without heart failure or known severe ventricular ectopic activity at rest were studied. The first cohort consisted of adults (n = 2,743) who underwent maximum exercise thallium stress testing. The second cohort consisted of adults (n = 423) who underwent coronary angiography within 90 days of treadmill testing. Significant exercise-induced ventricular ectopic activity was defined as frequent ventricular premature complexes or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Severe CAD was defined as left main CAD (≥50% stenosis), 3-vessel CAD (≥70% stenosis), or 2-vessel CAD with ≥70% stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery. In the thallium cohort, exercise-induced ventricular ectopic activity was associated with a greater frequency of thallium defects (35.2% vs 18.7%, odds ratio [OR] 2.35, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.62 to 3.42, p <0.001); after adjusting for possible confounders, this association persisted (for any defect adjusted OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.53, p = 0.02; for septal defect adjusted OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.51 to 5.07, p <0.001). There was no association between exercise-induced ventricular ectopic activity and mortality during 2 years of follow-up. In the angiographic cohort, there was no association of exercise-induced ventricular ectopy with severe CAD (19% vs 20%, OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.41 to 2.09, p = NS). Exercise-induced ventricular ectopic activity was associated with a greater likelihood of thallium perfusion defects, but was not associated with angiographic severity of coronary disease or with short-term mortality.

Pronóstico de los pacientes con angina y con isquemia silente en la tomogammagrafía de esfuerzo con 99mTc-MIBI

Although different reports have compared the extent of the myocardial ischemia in patients with or without angina during exercise test, there have been few publications which have studied their prognosis. The aim of this study is to analyze the prognostic value of the presence of angina during 99mTc-MIBI SPECT in patients with proven coronary artery disease without previous myocardial infarction. We studied 82 patients prospectively with at least one coronary stenosis > 70% and with reversible perfusion defects in 99mTc-MIBI SPECT (long protocol). Twenty two of these patients had angina during exercise test. The extension of ischemia was quantified on SPECT and the severity of coronary stenoses on coronary angiography. The mean follow-up period was 3.2 years. The angina patients showed a significantly lower coronary reserve (exercise duration: 6.3 min vs 8 min; p = 0.03), a lower maximal O2 consumption (5.8 METs vs 6.2 METs; p = 0.04), a higher rate of ST depression > 1 mm (64% vs 19%; p = 0.006) and a higher degree of ST depression (0.9 mm vs 0.4 mm; p = 0.01) than those patients without angina. There were no significant differences in the extent of ischemia in SPECT or in the angiographic severity of coronary disease between either groups. During the follow-up period the presence of severe complications (myocardial infarction or death) tended to be higher (27% vs 17%; NS) in patients with angina and the indication of surgical revascularization was also significantly higher (50% vs 17%; p = 0.002) in this group. Presence of angina during 99mTc-MIBI SPECT portends a higher risk of medium and long term complications, mainly due to surgical revascularization.

Chronotropic response to exercise predicts angiographic severity in patients with suspected or stable coronary artery disease

Inappropriate chronotropic response to exercise has been observed to correlate with poor prognosis in patients with coronary disease, but the mechanism for this association is not well defined. We attempted to examine the association between chronotropic response to exercise and angiographic severity of coronary disease in patients with suspected or stable coronary artery disease. The chronotropic response, expressed as peak heart rate, chronotropic index (ratio of heart rate reserve and metabolic reserve utilized), or percent maximal heart rate achieved, was correlated with angiographic findings obtained within 180 days of the test. Significant coronary disease was defined as ≥1 stenosis of ≥50% in a major epicardial artery or its main branches; severe coronary disease was defined as ≥50% stenosis in all 3 epicardial arteries, or in the left main coronary trunk, or 2-vessel disease with ≥70% proximal left anterior descending artery stenosis. We observed that peak heart rate and percent maximal heart rate achieved were independent negative predictors of both significant and severe coronary disease by logistic regression. The chronotropic index predicted severe coronary disease only. All 3 parameters of chronotropic response exhibited a significant gradient of abnormality across the spectrum of coronary disease (p < 0.01 for all), expressed by the number of vessels involved and correlated with left anterior descending artery involvement (p < 0.05 for all). We conclude that chronotropic response to exercise predicts the presence and angiographic severity of coronary disease. This association is likely related to the proportion of left ventricular myocardium rendered ischemic during stress.

The significance of coronary calcification detected by fluoroscopy. A report of 360 patients.

Cardiac fluoroscopy to detect coronary calcification was performed on 360 patients before undergoing coronary arteriography for proven or suspected coronary artery disease. Among the 154 patients in whom coronary calcification was identified, 97% had significant coronary disease angiographically (≧ 70% stenosis). In this group, the distribution of one, two, and three vessel coronary disease was 9%, 25%, and 66% respectively. The prevalence of coronary calcification increased with age and severity of coronary disease, but no difference in males versus females was demonstrable. The angiographic severity of coronary disease increased with multiple vessel calcification; three vessel disease occurred in 45%, 66%, and 82% of patients with one, two, and three vessel calcification, respectively. Patients with hyperlipidemia or hypertension had no significant difference in the prevalence of coronary calcification. Among the 267 patients with significant coronary lesions, 56% had calcification detected by fluoroscopy. Five of the 93 patients with no significant coronary disease angiographically had coronary calcification fluoroscopically. Four of the five had a prior history of myocardial infarction, and two showed asynergy on left ventriculography. This study demonstrates that cardiac fluoroscopy is a valuable procedure for detecting significant coronary artery disease since this highly specific test is easily performed, inexpensive, noninvasive, and widely applicable for screening large patient populations.