1. Aetna considers cardiac computed tomography (CT) angiography of the coronary arteries using 64-slice or greater medically necessary for the following indications:

   1. Rule out significant coronary stenosis in persons with a low or very low pre-test probability of coronary artery disease by Framingham risk scoring or by American College of Cardiology (ACC) criteria (see Appendix), with any of the following indications:

      1. Evaluation of persons with chest pain who can not perform or have contraindications to exercise and pharmacological stress testing (see Appendix); or
      2. Evaluation of persons with a positive (i.e., greater than or equal to 1 mm ST segment depression) exercise stress test; or
      3. Evaluation of persons with chest pain presenting to the emergency department when an imaging stress test or coronary angiography are being deferred as the initial imaging study.
   2. Evaluation of asymptomatic persons at low pre-test probability of coronary heart disease by Framingham risk scoring (see Appendix) who have an equivocal exercise or pharmacological stress test.  Note: Current guidelines from the American Heart Association recommend against routine stress testing for screening asymptomatic adults. 
   3. Pre-operative assessment of persons scheduled to undergo 'high-risk" non-cardiac surgery, where an imaging stress test or invasive coronary angiography is being deferred unless absolutely necessary.  The ACC defines high-risk surgery as emergent operations, especially in the elderly, aortic and other major vascular surgeries, peripheral vascular surgeries, and anticipated prolonged surgical procedures with large fluid shifts and/or blood loss involving the abdomen and thorax. 
   4. Pre-operative assessment for planned non-coronary cardiac surgeries including valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, and pericardial disease, in lieu of cardiac catheterization as the initial imaging study.
   5. Detection and delineation of suspected coronary anomalies in young persons (less than 30 years of age) with suggestive symptoms (e.g.,  angina, syncope, arrhythmia, and exertional dyspnea without other known etiology of these symptoms in children and adults; dyspnea, tachypnea, wheezing, periods of pallor, irritability (episodic crying), diaphoresis, poor feeding and failure to thrive in infants).

2. Aetna considers CT angiography of cardiac morphology for pulmonary vein mapping medically necessary for the following indications:

   1. Evaluation of persons needing biventricular pacemakers to accurately identify the coronary veins for lead placement.
   2. Evaluation of the pulmonary veins in persons undergoing pulmonary vein isolation procedures for atrial fibrillation (pre- and post-ablation procedure).

3. Aetna considers cardiac CT for evaluating cardiac structure and morphology in congenital heart disease medically necessary for the following indications:

   1. Anomalous pulmonary venous drainage;
   2. Evaluation of other complex congenital heart diseases;
   3. Evaluation of sinus venosum atrial-septal defect;
   4. Kawasaki's disease;
   5. Person scheduled or being evaluated for surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot or other congenital heart disease;
   6. Pulmonary outflow tract obstruction;
   7. Suspected or known Marfan's syndrome.

4. Aetna considers cardiac CT angiography experimental and investigational for persons with any of the following contraindications to the procedure because its effectiveness for indications other than the ones listed above has not been established:

   1. Body mass index (BMI) greater than 40.
   2. Inability to image at desired heart rate (under 80 beats/min), despite beta blocker administration.
   3. Person with allergy or intolerance to iodinated contrast material
   4. Persons in atrial fibrillation or with other significant arrhythmia.
   5. Persons with extensive coronary calcification by plain film or with prior Angston score greater than 1,700.

   Aetna considers cardiac CT angiography using less than 64-slice scanners experimental and investigational because the effectiveness of this approach has not been established.

5. Aetna considers coronary CT angiography experimental and investigational for screening of asymptomatic persons, evaluation of atherosclerotic burden, evaluation of persons at intermediate or high pre-test probability of coronary artery disease, evaluation of stent occlusion or in-stent restenosis, evaluation of persons with an equivocal PET rubidium study, identification of vulnerable plaques, monitoring of atheroma burden, and for all other indications (e.g., atrial angiosarcoma) because its effectiveness for these indications has not been estblished.

6. Aetna considers calcium scoring by means of low-dose CT angiography medically necessary for diagnostic cardiac CT angiography to assess whether an adequate image of the coronary arteries can be obtained.

   Aetna considers calcium scoring (e.g., with ultrafast [electron-beam] CT, spiral [helical] CT, and multi-slice CT) experimental and investigational for all other indications because the definitive value of calcium scoring for assessing coronary heart disease risk has not been established in the peer-reviewed published medical literature.

Cardiac CT Angiography

Contrast-enhanced cardiac CT angiography (CTA)  involves the use of multi-slice CT and intravenously administered contrast material to obtain detailed images of the blood vessels of the heart.  It has been used as an alternative to conventional invasive coronary angiography for evaluating coronary artery disease and coronary artery anomalies.

The performance of cardiac CTA has been improved by increasing the number of slices that can be acquired simultaneously by increasing the number of detector rows (AHTA, 2006).  As the number of slices that can be acquired simultaneously increases, the scanning time is shortened and the spatial resolution is increased.  Initial cardiac CT imaging was conducted with 4-slice detector CT.  Scanning times were reduced from 40 seconds down to 20 seconds with 16-slice detector CT and with the advent of 64-slice detector CT, scanning times have been reduced to a 10 second breath-hold.

Cardiac CTA using 64-slices has been shown in studies to have a high negative predictive value (93 to 100 %), using conventional coronary angiography as the reference standard.  Given its high negative predictive value, cardiac CTA has been shown to be most useful for evaluating persons at low-risk of coronary artery disease where invasive coronary angiography may otherwise be indicated.  This would include evaluation of low-risk persons with a positive exercise stress test, evaluation of asymptomatic low-risk persons with an equivocal exercise or pharmacologic stress test, and evaluation of low-risk persons with chest pain who have a contraindication to exercise and pharmacological stress testing.  Cardiac CTA is also a useful alternative to invasive coronary angiography for pre-operative evaluation of persons undergoing non-coronary cardiac surgery or high-risk noncardiac surgery, where invasive coronary angiography would otherwise be indicated.

Substantial controversy over the appropriate indications for cardiac CTA is due, in part, to the relatively poor quality of available evidence.  An assessment of cardiac CTA by the Duke Evidence-Based Practice Center (EPC) for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) (Matchar et al, 2006) found that published studies of cardiac CTA were generally small, performed at single centers, and often did not include information that would serve to provide confident assessments of key questions of effectiveness.  The reported noted: “In particular, we did not identify any studies evaluating the clinical impact of diagnostic strategies including NITs [noninvasive tests] of coronary anatomy compared with strategies that did not include these techniques.”

The BlueCross BlueShield Association’s Medical Advisory Panel (BCBSA, 2006) concluded that contrast-enhanced cardiac CTA as a substitute for invasive coronary angiography in the diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis does not meet the TEC criteria.  The assessment found that “[t]he studies evaluating the use of CTA in comparison to angiography are relatively small studies from single centers.  Their major failing is that they enrolled convenience samples of patients being referred for angiography.  The results from these studies may not generalize to lower-risk populations.”  The assessment explained that “in order to demonstrate improved patient outcomes, valid prognostication tied to improved management and outcomes must be demonstrated.  Clinical trials comparing patients undergoing CTA as part of their diagnostic work up compared to patients not undergoing CTA may be required to demonstrate improved patient outcomes.”

An assessment by the California Technology Assessment Forum (CTAF) found that cardiac CTA has generally not been compared with the established alternatives (Walsh, 2007).  The assesment explained that cardiac CTA has relatively high sensitivity but a lower specificity than invasive coronary angiography.  Thus, the negative predictive value of cardiac CTA is high, but there is a high false-positive rate, which then leads to additional testing.  The assessment also found that, in several studies a high proportion of cardiac CTAs were unevaluable, which further limits the utility of this technology.  The assessment reported that a precise estimate of the proportion of tests that are unevaluable is difficult to ascertain, because the absolute numbers of patients in each of the studies is small.  

California Technology Assessment Forum also found only 1 study that compared cardiac CTA to the standard of care for the evaluation of chest pain.  In that study, although cardiac CTA was accurate for ruling in or ruling out significant coronary artery disease in 75 % of subjects, about 25 % of subjects required additional diagnostic testing to clarify the diagnosis.  The CTAF report noted, in addition, that important clinical outcomes that should be evaluated, such as the number of patients with acute coronary syndrome and the number of patients safely discharged from the emergency room, have not been evaluated in most of the studies.  The CTAF assessment stated that, ideally, studies should demonstate that cardiac CTA reduced the need for invasive procedures, accurately identified patients with acute coronary syndromes, and correctly identifed patients who could safely be sent home from the emergency room.

An assessment by the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care Medical Advisory Secretariat (MAS, 2007) found insuffient evidence for the use of coronary CTA as a screening test for coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic individuals.  The assessment found that coronary CTA exhibits only moderately high sensitivity and specificity for detection of CAD in an asymptomatic population.  If population-based screening were implemented, a high rate of false-positives would result in increased down-stream costs and interventions.  Additionally, some cases of CAD would be missed, as they may not be developed, or not yet have progressed to detectable levels.  The assessment noted that there is no evidence for the impact of screening on patient management.  Cardiovascular risk factors are positively associated with the presence of coronary artery calcification and cardiovascular events; however, risk factor stratification to identify high-risk asymptomatic individuals is unclear given the current evidence-base.  The assessment noted that the safety of coronary CTA screening is also an issue because of the introduction of increased radiation doses for the initial screening scan and possible follow-up interventions.  The assessment found that no large randomized controlled trials of coronary CTA screening have been published.  The assessment also found no evidence on the long-term implications of screening.

A decision memorandum from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS, 2008) has concluded that there is uncertainty regarding any potential health benefits or patient management alterations from including coronary CTA in the diagnostic work-up of patients who may have CAD.  The memorandum stated that no adequately powered study has established that improved health outcomes can be causally attributed to coronary CTA for any well-defined clinical indication, and the body of evidence is of overall limited quality and limited applicability to Medicare patients with typical co-morbidities in community practice.  The memorandum noted that the primary safety concerns with cardiac CTA are the exposure to radiation and the use of contrast and beta blocker medications.

The CMS decision memorandum (CMS, 2008) explained that cardiac CTA is unlikely to benefit persons at high-risk for CAD, as these persons will likely need to have invasive coronary angiography regardless of the results of this test.  The CMS decision memorandum also stated that there is no evidence that CTA will benefit persons with chest pain at low-risk of CAD.  In support of that conclusion, the decision memorandum cited a randomized clinical trial by Goldstein et al (2007) of low-risk patients presenting to the emergency room with chest pain.  Study subjects were randomized to evaluation with cardiac CTA versus standard of care.  At 6 months, there was no significant difference in the number of cumulative cardiac catheterizations (12 % in persons assigned to cardiac CTA versus 7 % in persons assigned to standard of care; p = 0.24).  There were no significant differences between groups in cumulative angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery at 6 months.  There were also no deaths or myocardial infarctions in either group at 6 months.

The decision memorandum observed that, in systematic reviews of coronary CTA, the overall reported sensitivity, specificity and predictive values are generally above 80 to 90 % (CMS, 2008).  The decision memorandum stated, however, that these estimates have limitations in applicability and generalizability due to patient selection and potential bias.  The decision memorandum found no published studies of the sensitity and specificity of coronary CT angiography in persons at low or intermediate pre-test probability of CAD.  Although available studies have not consistently reported the participants' pre-test probability of CAD, almost all persons enrolled in these studies are likely to be at relatively high-risk for CAD, since they were already scheduled for invasive coronary angiography.  The decision memorandum noted that, in general, test sensitivity and specificity will be higher in patients with more severe disease.  Thus, the sensitivity and specificity estimates for high-risk patients are not directly applicable to patients at low- or intermediate-risk.  The sensitivity and specificity of coronary CTA for persons at intermediate- or low-risk are likely to be lower given the reduced severity of disease.

The CMS decision memorandum also explained that the reported positive and negative predictive values of coronary CTA based on high risk patients are not directly applicable to low- or intermediate-risk patients because the prevalence of disease is different (CMS, 2008).  The predictive values would very likely be lower if calculated using data from low- or intermediate-risk patients since these populations have a lower prevalence of CAD.

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER, 2008) completed a health technology assessment and cost-effectiveness analysis of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for coronary artery disease.  ICER evaluated the cost-effectiveness of CCTA in the emergency department to evaluate persons with chest pain, and found, at base case, with costs based upon Medicare data, that CCTA is cost-saving, with about $296 in savings per patient in comparison with standard of care.  The ICER assessment also evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the use of CCTA in the outpatient setting to evaluate persons at intermediate risk of CAD with stable chest pain.  A number of strategies were evaluated involving CCTA, stress echocardioraphy, and myocardial perfusion imaging, used alone or in combination.  Based on base case assumptions, the analysis found that all strategies were dominated except for CCTA alone and stress ECHO alone.  Stress echocardiography was the least expensive strategy, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of CCTA alone versus stress echocardiography was $178,000 per quality adjusted life year.

An assessment by the BlueCross BlueShield Association Technology Evaluation Center (BCBSA, 2011) concluded that CCTA meets the TEC criteria for patients with acute chest pain presenting to the emergency room with no known history of coronary artery disease, and found not to have evidence of acute coronary syndromes. The TEC assessment stated that evidence obtained in the emergency setting, similar to more extensive results among ambulatory patients, indicates a normal CCTA appears to provide a prognosis as good as other noninvasive tests.

In the outpatient setting, where the interest in the use of CCTA has been focused on the evaluation of patients with stable chest pain symptoms who are at low- to intermediate-risk of significant CAD, there are no published studies to date that have directly measured the impact of CCTA on clinical decision-making or on patient outcomes.  The majority of available literature on 64-slice CCTA is limited to small, single-center studies of diagnostic accuracy compared to invasive coronary angiography (ICA), typically among consecutive patients at relatively high-risk of CAD who are already scheduled to undergo ICA.

The American College of Cardiology has published appropriateness criteria for cardiac CTA (Hendel et al, 2006).  These criteria are based upon consensus of a technical panel, and not upon an explicit assessment of the available evidence.

Cardiac CTA requires high doses of ionizing radiation, with an average dose of 8.1 milliSieverts for patients weighing 75 kgs.  This dose is approximately 2 to 3 times higher than the average radiation dose administered to patients during conventional coronary angiography (AHTA, 2006).  Although the risk associated with a dose of this size is minimal, it may raise concerns about repeated doses, or in children and women of child-bearing age.  In addition, a greater volume of contrast media is required for CCTA (150 mls) compared to conventional coronary angiography (approximately 20 mls).

Einstein and colleagues (2007) ascertained the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of cancer incidence associated with radiation exposure from a 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) study and evaluated the influence of age, sex, and scan protocol on cancer risk.  Organ doses from 64-slice CTCA to standardized phantom (computational model) male and female patients were estimated using Monte Carlo simulation methods, using standard spiral CT protocols.  Age- and sex-specific LARs of individual cancers were estimated using the approach of BEIR VII and summed to obtain whole-body LARs.  Main outcome measures were whole-body and organ LARs of cancer incidence.  Organ doses ranged from 42 to 91 mSv for the lungs and 50 to 80 mSv for the female breast.  Lifetime cancer risk estimates for standard cardiac scans varied from 1 in 143 for a 20-year old woman to 1 in 3,261 for an 80-year old man.  Use of simulated electrocardiographically controlled tube current modulation (ECTCM) decreased these risk estimates to 1 in 219 and 1 in 5,017, respectively.  Estimated cancer risks using ECTCM for a 60-year old woman and a 60-year old man were 1 in 715 and 1 in 1911, respectively.  A combined scan of the heart and aorta had higher LARs, up to 1 in 114 for a 20-year old woman.  The highest organ LARs were for lung cancer and, in younger women, breast cancer.  The authors concluded that these estimates derived from simulation models suggested that use of 64-slice CTCA is associated with a non-negligible LAR of cancer.  This risk varies markedly and is considerably greater for women, younger patients, and for combined cardiac and aortic scans.

In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Miller et al (2008) stated that the accuracy of multi-detector CTA involving 64 detectors has not been well-established.  These investigators conducted a multi-center study to examine the accuracy of 64-row, 0.5-mm multi-detector CTA as compared with conventional coronary angiography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.  Nine centers enrolled patients who underwent calcium scoring and multi-detector CT angiography before conventional coronary angiography.  In 291 patients with calcium scores of 600 or less, segments 1.5 mm or more in diameter were analyzed by means of CT and conventional angiography at independent core laboratories.  Stenoses of 50 % or more were considered obstructive.  The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate diagnostic accuracy relative to that of conventional angiography and subsequent revascularization status, whereas disease severity was assessed with the use of the modified Duke Coronary Artery Disease Index.  A total of 56 % of patients had obstructive coronary artery disease.  The patient-based diagnostic accuracy of quantitative CTA for detecting or ruling out stenoses of 50 % or more according to conventional angiography revealed an AUC of 0.93 (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.90 to 0.96), with a sensitivity of 85 % (95 % CI: 79 to 90), a specificity of 90 % (95 % CI: 83 to 94), a positive predictive value of 91 % (95 % CI: 86 to 95), and a negative predictive value of 83 % (95 % CI: 75 to 89).  Computed tomographic angiography was similar to conventional angiography in its ability to identify patients who subsequently underwent re-vascularization: the AUC was 0.84 (95 % CI: 0.79 to 0.88) for multi-detector CTA and 0.82 (95 % CI: 0.77 to 0.86) for conventional angiography.  A per-vessel analysis of 866 vessels yielded an AUC of 0.91 (95 % CI: 0.88 to 0.93).  Disease severity ascertained by CT and conventional angiography was well-correlated (r = 0.81; 95 % CI: 0.76 to 0.84).  Two patients had important reactions to contrast medium after CT angiography.  The authors concluded that multi-detector CTA accurately identifies the presence and severity of obstructive coronary artery disease and subsequent re-vascularization in symptomatic patients.  However, the negative and positive predictive values indicate that multi-detector CTA can not replace conventional coronary angiography at present.

An accompanying editorial commenting on the study by Miller et al stated that this study exemplifies current research in the field (Redberg and Walsh, 2008).  The editorialists stated that, although this study was carefully done and provides more data on diagnostic accuracy, it does not advance our knowledge of the appropriate use and possible benefits of the technology.  The editorialists explained that Miller et al sought to identify "patients with suspected coronary artery disease who should be referred for conventional coronary angiography."  However, because all patients received both cardiac CTA and conventional coronary angiography and no data on outcomes are reported, the study does not answer this important question.  The editorialists commented that, with respect to risks, Miller et al claimed that the new technology compares favorably to conventional coronary angiography, even though in their study the radiation exposure with cardiac CTA was significantly greater than that with conventional coronary angiography.  The editorialists noted, in any event, that Miller et al concluded that cardiac CTA is not accurate enough to replace the older technology for patients with chest pain, adding to the body of research failing to prove a benefit of the new procedure.

The editorialists noted that the use of cardiac imaging has been increasing despite a lack of evidence of outcome benefit (Redberg and Walsh, 2008).  The editorialists said that there is some evidence that cardiac imaging leads to additional unnecessary procedures, such as additional diagnostic testing, re-vascularizations, or biopsies for "incidental findings."  The editorialists also noted that cardiac CT angiographic equipment exposes patients with radiation many orders of magnitude greater than that of traditional radiographs -- posing a risk that has never been studied in depth.  The editorialists cited evidence that estimates that 1.5 to 2.0 % of all cases of cancers in the United States may be attributable to CT radiation.

Cardiac CT angiography often produces non-cardiac incidental findings.  To evaluate the incidence, clinical importance, and costs of these incidental findings, MacHaalany, et al (2009) studied 966 consecutive patients who underwent CTA.  Incidental findings were noted in 401 patients (41.5 %); of these, 12 were deemed to be clinically significant (e.g., 5 thrombi, 1 aortic dissection that was not clinically suspected, 1 ruptured breast implant), and 68 were deemed to be indeterminate (e.g., 34 non-calcified pulmonary nodules less than 1 cm, 11 larger lung nodules, 9 liver nodules/cysts).  After a mean 18-month follow-up, no indeterminate finding became clinically significant, although 3 malignancies were diagnosed after subsequent diagnostic tests.  Non-cardiac and cancer death rates were not significantly different between patients with and without incidental findings.  In all, 164 additional diagnostic tests and procedures were performed in the 80 patients with indeterminate or clinically significant incidental findings, including 1 patient who suffered empyema and abdominal abscesses as a complication of transthoracic biopsy.

Weustink et al (2010) compared the accuracy and clinical utility of stress testing and CTCA for identifying patients who require ICA.  A total of 517 patients referred by their treating physicians for evaluation of chest symptoms by using stress testing or ICA were included in this study.  Diagnostic accuracy of stress testing and CTCA were compared with ICA; pre-test probabilities of disease by Duke clinical score; and clinical utility of non-invasive testing, defined as a pretest or posttest probability that suggests how to proceed with testing (no further testing if less than or equal to 5 %, proceed with ICA if between 5 % and 90 %, and refer directly for ICA if greater than or equal to 90 %).  Stress testing was not as accurate as CTCA; CTCA sensitivity approached 100 %.  In patients with a low (less than 20 %) pre-test probability of disease, negative stress test or CTCA results suggested no need for ICA.  In patients with an intermediate (20 % to 80 %) pre-test probability, a positive CTCA result suggested need to proceed with ICA (post-test probability, 93 % [95 % CI: 92 % to 93 %]) and a negative result suggested no need for further testing (post-test probability, 1 % CI: 1 % to 1 %]).  Physicians could proceed directly with ICA in patients with a high (greater than 80 %) pre-test probability (91 % CI: 90 % to 92 %).  The authors concluded that CTCA seems most valuable in patients with intermediate pre-test probability of disease, because the test can distinguish which of these patients need invasive angiography.  The authors stated that additional studies, including cost-benefit analyses, are needed to confirm these findings before CTCA is accepted as a 1st-line diagnostic test in patients with an intermediate pre-test probability of CAD.

The American College of Cardiology's 2010 expert consensus document on CTCA listed the following as emerging applications: (i) evaluation of atherosclerotic burden, (ii) identification of vulnerable plaques, and (iii) monitoring of atheroma buerden.  Furthermore, the document also noted that the use of CTCA in asymptomatic high-risk individuals is an area that has been the subject of some empirical research, but the data overall are not yet sufficiently clear to support the development of a consensus.

Alsheikh-Ali et al (2010) reviewed the scope of recent literature on the concept of "vulnerable plaque" by examining 463 abstracts of primary and review articles identified through MEDLINE (2003 to April 2010).  Proposed definition criteria of vulnerable plaque included active inflammation, a thin cap with a large lipid core, endothelial denudation, fissured cap, severe stenosis, or combinations of these findings.  In 242 primary studies, histopathology, biomarkers, and imaging of carotid and coronary artery plaques were evaluated for features suggestive of vulnerability.  Notably, 89 % of these studies were cross-sectional in design and were exclusively conducted in patients with known cardiovascular disease.  None of the imaging studies documented whether the identified lesions were responsible for cardiovascular events.  Cross-sectional design precludes evaluation of the predictive utility of biomarkers.  Because vulnerable plaque is not an established medical diagnosis, no studies have been done that explicitly evaluate the treatment of vulnerable plaques.  Few studies examined potential systemic treatments (e.g., statins) to modify vulnerability features.  The authors stated that large prospective studies in patients with and without previous cardiovascular events during long follow-up are required to validate this concept.  They also stated that the value of the available literature is further limited by the use of imaging characteristics that have not been validated as reliable surrogates for hsitologic markers of plaques vulnerability (e.g., echolucency and plaque deformability).

von Ballmoos et al (2011) reviewed current evidence about the ability of low-dose coronary CT angiography to rule out CAD in symptomatic adults.  Online databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, from inception through 31 October 2010; abstract databases; gray literature; reference lists of identified articles; and experts were searched.  No language restrictions were applied.  All investigators screened and selected studies that compared prospective electrocardiography-gated coronary CT angiography with catheter coronary angiography (the reference standard) in symptomatic patients with suspected CAD were selected.  Two investigators independently extracted patient and study protocol characteristics and rated methodological quality; differences were resolved by consensus or by a third reader.  Multi-variate random-effects models were used to obtain pooled estimates.  A total of 16 studies, comprising 960 patients, were found (7 studies of single-source, 64-slice CT; 4 of dual-source, 64-slice CT; 2 of single-source, 320-slice CT; 1 dual-source, 128-slice CT; 1 of single-source, 128-slice CT; and 1 of single-source, 256-slice CT).  On average, 2.4 % of the coronary arterial segments were of non-diagnostic image quality, and 1 or more segments were non-diagnostic in 9.5 % of the patients.  The patient-level sensitivity and specificity of CT angiography were 1.00 (95 % CI: 0.98 to 1.00) and 0.89 (CI: 0.85 to 0.92), respectively.  The pooled vessel- and segment-level estimates showed lower sensitivity and higher specificity than the patient-level estimates.  Statistically significant heterogeneity was found between studies for vessel- and segment-level estimates, which seemed to be associated with body mass index and prevalence of CAD but not with CT scanner characteristics.  The authors concluded that early evidence suggested that low-dose coronary CT angiography matches the sensitivity of catheter-based angiography, has low radiation exposure, and is a potentially valid alternative to catheter angiography for triaging symptomatic patients with a clinical suspicion of CAD.  Limitations of this meta-analysis included he small number of studies, 50 % of which were from a single tertiary center, limits generalizability.  The potential harms of the imaging tests were not well-evaluated.  The authors stated that further studies are needed before widespread diffusion of the technology can be recommended.

Arbab-Zadeh et al (2012) evaluated the impact of patient population characteristics on accuracy by CTA to detect obstructive CAD.  For the CORE-64 (Coronary Artery Evaluation Using 64-Row Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography) study, a total of 371 patients underwent CTA and cardiac catheterization for the detection of obstructive CAD, defined as greater than or equal to 50 % luminal stenosis by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA).  This analysis includes 80 initially excluded patients with a calcium score greater than or equal to 600.  Area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate CTA diagnostic accuracy compared to QCA in patients according to calcium score and pre-test probability of CAD.  Analysis of patient-based quantitative CTA accuracy revealed an AUC of 0.93 (95 % CI: 0.90 to 0.95).  The AUC remained 0.93 (95 % CI: 0.90 to 0.96) after excluding patients with known CAD but decreased to 0.81 (95 % CI: 0.71 to 0.89) in patients with calcium score greater than or equal to 600 (p = 0.077).  While AUCs were similar (0.93, 0.92, and 0.93, respectively) for patients with intermediate, high pre-test probability for CAD, and known CAD, negative predictive values were different: 0.90, 0.83, and 0.50, respectively.  Negative predictive values decreased from 0.93 to 0.75 for patients with calcium score les than 100 or greater than or equal to 100, respectively (p = 0.053).  The authors concluded that both pre-test probability for CAD and coronary calcium scoring should be considered before using CTA for excluding obstructive CAD.  For that purpose, CTA is less effective in patients with calcium score greater than or equal to 600 and in patients with a high pre-test probability for obstructive CAD.  (CTA is most useful as a rule-out test in patients with low-intermediate pre-test probability of disease and mild coronary calcification or those with a calcium score of zero". 

In an editorial that accompaned the afore-mentioned study, Nissen (2012) stated that "[t]he current study by Arbab-Zadeh et al helps us understand what must be expected in subsequent studies examining the clinical utility of CTA.  Future studies must evaluate important clinical outcomes, not just the extent of stenoses, in a wide spectrum of patients, not selected because they represent the ideal candidates for CTA.  Pending such evaluation, coronary imaging using CTA should be used sparingly, with full recognition of the radiation burdens and risks of misdiagnosis".

Calcium Scoring

Ultrafast computed tomography (also known as electron-beam computed tomography [EBCT]) has been shown to be able to quantify the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries, and thus has been primarily investigated as a tool to predict risk of CAD.  In ultrafast CT, an electron-beam is magnetically steered along stationary tungsten rings to produce a rotating X-ray beam.

Research has indicated that EBCT is highly sensitive in detecting coronary artery calcification in comparison to other types of CT.  Moreover, various studies have shown a strong correlation between EBCT calcium scores and quantities of atherosclerotic plaque.  However, there is skepticism about the relationship between EBCT calcium scores and the likelihood of coronary events because of the following factors:

• Calcium does not collect exclusively at sites with severe stenosis 
• EBCT calcium scores do not identify the location of specific vulnerable lesions
• Substantial non-calcified plaque is frequently present in the absence of coronary artery calcification
• There are no proven relationships between coronary artery calcification and the probability of plaque rupture.

Some advocates have argued that EBCT scores could be an effective substitute for standard risk factors in predicting the risk of coronary artery disease.  However, citing evidence that shows that only a small proportion of asymptomatic individuals with calcified coronary arteries ultimately develop symptomatic coronary artery disease, a 1996 American Heart Association (AHA) scientific statement on coronary artery calcification concludes that the presence of coronary artery calcium is a poor predictor of coronary artery disease risk, and that there is no role for ultrafast CT as a general screening tool to detect atherosclerosis in people who have no symptoms of the disease and no risk factors.  More importantly, although a negative scan may mean a low probability of significant artery blockage in asymptomatic people with or without a previous cardiac event (e.g., myocardial infarction, bypass surgery, angioplasty, etc.), an unstable or vulnerable plaque may go undetected by ultrafast CT, and may rupture and cause thrombosis and obstruction of the coronary artery.  Detrano (1999) demonstrated that the addition of EBCT data provided no added value to the risk of coronary artery disease risk determined by the Framingham and National Cholesterol Education Program risk models.

Several investigators have examined the potential role of ultrafast CT measurements of coronary artery calcium in ruling out coronary artery disease in patients with atypical anginal symptoms.  The AHA report estimates that the negative predictive value of an ultrafast CT scan in these patients ranges from 90 to 95 %, and suggests that a negative study may be useful in determining the need for further work-up with exercise stress testing and/or angiography.  It must be realized, however, that ultrafast CT provides only anatomic and not physiologic information.  Although ultrafast CT can be used to determine whether calcium is present in the coronary arteries, it can not replace stress testing and angiography in determining whether lesions result in significant coronary artery obstruction and ischemia.  Ultrafast CT is being investigated for this proposed use.

The AHA does not recommend ultrafast CT as a replacement for stress testing and/or angiography in patients with conventional risk factors and in patients with typical anginal chest pain.  The increased predictive value of ultrafast CT of the coronary arteries relative to traditional risk factor assessment is not yet defined.  Although a greater amount of calcium may indicate a greater likelihood of obstructive disease, studies have shown that site-specificity and exact 1:1 correlations are not well predicted, that is, ultrafast CT can not define the location or amount of obstruction with sufficient accuracy to be of use in predicting risk of coronary artery disease, in diagnosing coronary artery disease, or in planning surgical treatment.

Several studies have shown a variability in repeated measures of coronary calcium by ultrafast CT; therefore, use of serial ultrafast CT scans in individual patients to track the progression or regression of calcium is problematic.  Although there is emerging evidence that ultrafast CT may help in identifying the presence of early coronary artery disease in people with known heart disease risk factors, there is no definitive evidence that ultrafast CT can substitute for coronary angiography because the absence of calcific deposits on an ultrafast CT scan does not imply the absence of atherosclerosis.  Conversely, the presence of calcium does not secure a diagnosis of significant angiographic narrowing.  There is still a need for further clarification regarding the relationship between calcification, atherosclerosis, and risk of plaque rupture.

The critical issue that defines the utility (or lack thereof) of ultrafast CT is its prognostic value.  The evidence in the peer-reviewed medical literature linking detectable coronary calcium to event outcomes such as future coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty, myocardial infarction, and coronary death is limited.  Large-scale prospective studies are still needed to define a role for ultrafast CT.

In a review on coronary artery calcium scoring by means of EBCT, Thomson and Hachamovitch (2002) stated that studies have indicated that the very early detection of a coronary artery burden is possible with EBCT.  However, both the Prevention Conference V and the ACC/AHA Expert Consensus Document on EBCT have recommended against the routine use of EBCT for screening for CAD in asymptomatic individuals.  Moreover, there is no evidence so far to support using the results of EBCT in an asymptomatic patient to select a therapy or to guide referral to invasive investigations.  The clinical role of EBCT is yet to be established in terms of screening for disease or risk assessment.  Electron beam computed tomography is highly sensitive, but its specificity is low.  In fact, when referral to angiography is based on the results of EBCT, referrals will be made for very few patients with normal results while many referrals will be made for those with abnormal results.  The outcome will be that, in clinical practice, the observed sensitivity of EBCT will be increased, and the observed specificity will be reduced.  To date, there are no well-conducted studies that clearly demonstrate the incremental value of calcium scoring over traditional assessments of risk factors, and the clinical role of EBCT is yet to be established in terms of screening for disease or risk assessment.  The authors’ view is shared by Redberg and Shaw (2002) who stated that widespread use of EBCT is not recommended.  More research is needed to establish the effectiveness of EBCT in the role of risk factor reduction and prevention of cardiovascular disease.  Furthermore, Greenland (2003) stated that "To date, most research on EBT [electron-beam computed tomography] has been observational in nature, based entirely on self-referred patients" and that the "role of EBT remains uncertain" and that "additional randomized trials to define specific roles for EBT in risk prediction" are needed.

These conclusions are consistent with those of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2004), which stated that there is "insufficient evidence to recommend for or against routine screening with ... EBCT [electron beam CT] scanning for coronary calcium for either the presence of severe [coronary artery stenosis] or the prediction of [coronary heart disease] events in adults at increased risk for coronary heart disease.”  The USPSTF reaffirmed their position in 2009, stating that the evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of using coronary artery calcification (CAC) score on electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) to screen asymptomatic men and women with no history of CHD to prevent CHD events.

Multi-slice (or multi-row detector) CT and spiral (or helical) CT has also been used to quantify calcium in the coronary arteries.  Spiral or helical CT differs from conventional CT in that the patient is continuously rotated as he is moved.  Multi-slice CT is a technical advance over spiral CT, and uses multiple rows of detector arrays to rapidly obtain multiple slices with one pass.  Multi-slice CT differs from ultrafast CT in that the latter has no moving parts, and ultrafast CT scans are faster than with multi-sclice CT.  One study examined the accuracy of spiral CT in evaluating coronary calcification, using ultrafast CT as the gold standard for comparison, in 33 asymptomatic individuals who were referred for calcium scans.  Spiral CT was reported to have a sensitivity of 74 % and a specificity of 70 % compared to ultrafast CT.  An assessment of spiral CT and multi-slice CT in screening persons with coronary artery disease by the Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (2003) found no adequate long-term studies on clinical outcomes of people screened with multi-slice CT or spiral CT.  In addition, the assessment failed to identify studies that compared spiral CT and multi-slice CT with established screening modalities like risk factor algorithms.  The authors noted that the low specificity of spiral CT and multi-slice CT gives rise to concern over false-positive results, and that false-positives may cause harm and expense due to inappropriate and invasive follow-up.  The assessment concluded that “[t]here is insufficient evidence at this time to suggest that asymptomatic people derive clinical benefit from undergoing coronary calcification screening using MSCT [multislice CT] or spiral CT scanning." 

In an editorial accompanying a meta-analysis of electron-beam CT for CAD by Pletcher et al (2004), Ewy (2004) explained that "the clinical utility of fast computed tomography (CT) scanners (i.e., the electron beam [EB] and double helical CT scanner) is still limited.  Electron beam CT is not ready for prime time."

An assessment of the literature on calcium scoring by the German Agency for Health Technology Assessment (DAHTA, 2006) concluded that measuring coronary calcium is a "promising" tool for risk stratification, but that many questions remain unanswered about the targeted use in medical practice, including which patient groups should be screened,  which calcium score threshold should be applied, and which scoring method should be used. 

An assessment prepared for the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment (Waugh et al, 2006) found: "CT examination of the coronary arteries can detect calcification indicative of arterial disease in asymptomatic people, many of whom would be at low risk when assessed by traditional risk factors.  The higher the CAC score, the higher the risk.  Treatment with statins can reduce that risk.  However, CT screening would miss many of the most dangerous patches of arterial disease, because they are not yet calcified, and so there would be false-negative results: normal CT followed by a heart attack.  There would also be false-positive results in that many calcified arteries will have normal blood flow and will not be affected by clinically apparent thrombosis: abnormal CT not followed by a heart attack."  The NCCHTA assessment concluded: "For CT screening to be cost-effective, it has to add value over risk factor scoring, by producing sufficient extra information to change treatment and hence cardiac outcomes, at an affordable cost per quality-adjusted life-year.  There was insufficient evidence to support this. Most of the NSC [National Screening Committee] criteria were either not met or only partially met."

An assessment by the Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (Bardach, 2005) concluded: "Most consensus consider EBCT, SCT and MSCT still at their investigational stage for the following: a) detection of coronary artery calcifications as a screening method for asymptomatic subjects with coronary disease; b) detection of coronary artery calcifications in symptomatic patients; and c) assessment of coronary graft viability.  No study reported that calcification measuring (plaque characterization) reduces the incidence of coronary events or death."

Detrano and associates (2008) noted that in white populations, computed tomographic measurements of coronary artery calcium (CAC) predict coronary heart disease (CHD) independently of traditional coronary risk factors.  However, it is unclear if CAC predicts coronary heart disease in other racial or ethnic groups.  These researchers collected data on risk factors and performed scanning for CAC in a population-based sample of 6,722 men and women, of whom 38.6 % were white, 27.6 % were black, 21.9 % were Hispanic, and 11.9 % were Chinese.  The study subjects had no clinical cardiovascular disease at entry and were followed for a median of 3.8 years.  There were 162 coronary events, of which 89 were major events (myocardial infarction or death from coronary heart disease).  In comparison with participants with no CAC, the adjusted risk of a coronary event was increased by a factor of 7.73 among participants with coronary calcium scores between 101 and 300 and by a factor of 9.67 among participants with scores above 300 (p < 0.001 for both comparisons).  Among the 4 racial and ethnic groups, a doubling of the calcium score increased the risk of a major coronary event by 15 to 35 % and the risk of any coronary event by 18 to 39 %.  The AUCs for the prediction of both major coronary events and any coronary event were higher when the calcium score was added to the standard risk factors.  The authors concluded that the coronary calcium score is a strong predictor of incident coronary heart disease and provides predictive information beyond that provided by standard risk factors in 4 major racial and ethnic groups in the United States.  No major differences among racial and ethnic groups in the predictive value of calcium scores were detected.  While there were some interesting differences in the prevalence of CAC among the 4 racial and ethnic groups, what remains unclear is how this test should best be employed, or if it should be used at all, to attain better health outcomes for patients.

Calcium scoring may be useful when performed with an otherwise indicated muti-slice cardiac CTA to assess the calcium burden of the coronary arteries to determine whether an adequate scan can be obtained.  The calcium score may be estimated with a scout scan, and the injection of contrast withheld if it appears that the patient has a prohibitively high calcium score.  This allows one to avoid exposing the patient to unnecessary radiation from contrast if it is clear that the patient's calcium score is so high that an adequate image of the coronary vessels can not be obtained.  In such cases, the patient may need invasive angiography to adequately assess the coronary vessels.

Baig and colleagues (2009) stated that CAD is present in 38 % to 40 % of patients starting dialysis.  Both traditional and chronic kidney disease-related cardiovascular risk factors contribute to this high prevalence rate.  In patients with end-stage renal disease, CAD, especially acute myocardial infarction, is under-diagnosed.  Dobutamine stress echocardiography and, to a lesser extent, stress myocardial perfusion imaging have proved useful in screening for CAD in such patients.  Coronary artery calcium scoring is less useful.  Acute myocardial infarction is associated with high short- and long-term mortality in dialysis patients.  Cardiac troponin I appears to be more specific than cardiac troponin T or creatine kinase MB subunits in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Ma and colleagues (2010) examined the relationship between coronary calcium score (CCS) and angiographic stenosis on a patient-based or vessel-based analysis.  A total of 91 consecutive patients underwent both low-dose 64-slice CT calcium scoring scan as well as conventional angiography of the heart.  The total CCS of abnormal coronary angiogram (n = 45) was 297.38 +/- 416.93, whereas that of normal coronary angiogram (n = 46) was 5.37 +/- 9.35 (p < 0.001).  The CCS and degree of stenosis were moderately correlated on patient-based or vessel-based analysis (r = 0.517, 0.521, respectively; both p < 0.001).  The authors concluded that CCS could reflect the degree of vessel stenosis to some extent, but CCS of zero could not rule out CAD.

Cademartiri et al (2010) compared the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and CTCA for the assessment of non-obstructive/obstructive CAD in high-risk asymptomatic subjects.  A total of 213 consecutive asymptomatic subjects (113 males; mean age of 53.6 +/- 12.4 years) with more than 1 risk factor and an inconclusive or unfeasible non-invasive stress test result underwent CACS and CTCA in an out-patient setting.  All patients underwent conventional coronary angiography (CAG).  Data from CACS (threshold for positive image: Agatston score 1/100/1,000) and CTCA were compared with CAG regarding the degree of CAD (non-obstructive/obstructive; less than/greater than or = 50 % lumen reduction).  The mean calcium score was 151 +/- 403 and the prevalence of obstructive CAD was 17 % (8 % 1-vessel and 10 % 2-vessel disease).  Per-patient sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of CACS were: 97 %, 75 %, 45 %, and 100 %, respectively (Agatston greater than or equal to 1); 73 %, 90 %, 60 %, and 94 %, respectively (Agatston greater than or equal to 100); 30 %, 98 %, 79 %, and 87 %, respectively (Agatston greater than or equal to 1,000).  Per-patient values for CTCA were 100 %, 98 %, 97 %, and 100 %, respectively (p < 0.05).  Computed tomography coronary angiography detected 65 % prevalence of all CAD (48 % non-obstructive), while CACS detected 37 % prevalence of all CAD (21 % non-obstructive) (p < 0.05).  The authors concluded that CACS proved inadequate for the detection of obstructive and non-obstructive CAD compared with CTCA.  Computed tomography coronary angiography has a high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of non-obstructive and obstructive CAD in high-risk asymptomatic patients with inconclusive or unfeasible stress test results.

Hadamitzky et al (2011) compared CCTA with calcium scoring and clinical risk scores for the ability to predict cardiac events.  Patients (n = 2,223) with suspected CAD undergoing CCTA were followed-up for a median of 28 months.  The end point was the occurrence of cardiac events (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring hospitalization, and coronary re-vascularization later than 90 days after CCTA).  Patients with obstructive CAD had a significantly higher event rate (2.9 % per year; 95 % CI: 2.1 to 4.0) than those without obstructive CAD, having an event rate 0.3 % per year (95 % CI: 0.1 to 0.5; hazard ratio, 13.5; 95 % CI: 6.7 to 27.2; p < 0.001).  Coronary computed tomography angiography had significant incremental predictive value when compared with calcium scoring, both with scores assessing the degree of stenosis (p < 0.001) and with scores assessing the number of diseased coronary segments (p = 0.027).  The authors concluded that in patients with suspected CAD, CCTA not only detects coronary stenosis but also improves prediction of cardiac events over and above conventional risk scores and calcium scoring.

In a prospective population-based study, Kavousi et al (2012) evaluated if newer risk markers for CHD risk prediction and stratification improve Framingham risk score (FRS) predictions.  A total of 5,933 asymptomatic, community-dwelling participants (mean age of 69.1 years [SD, 8.5]) were included in this analysis.  Traditional CHD risk factors used in the FRS (age, sex, systolic blood pressure, treatment of hypertension, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, smoking, and diabetes) and newer CHD risk factors (N-terminal fragment of prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide levels, von Willebrand factor antigen levels, fibrinogen levels, chronic kidney disease, leukocyte count, C-reactive protein levels, homocysteine levels, uric acid levels, CACS, carotid intima-media thickness, peripheral arterial disease, and pulse wave velocity).  Adding CACS to the FRS improved the accuracy of risk predictions (c-statistic increase, 0.05 [95 % CI: 0.02 to 0.06]; net re-classification index, 19.3 % overall [39.3 % in those at intermediate-risk, by FRS]).  Levels of N-terminal fragment of prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide also improved risk predictions but to a lesser extent (c-statistic increase, 0.02 [CI: 0.01 to 0.04]; net re-classification index, 7.6 % overall [33.0 % in those at intermediate-risk, by FRS]).  Improvements in predictions with other newer markers were marginal.  The authors concluded that among 12 CHD risk markers, improvements in FRS predictions were most statistically and clinically significant with the addition of CACS.  Moreover, they stated that further investigation is needed to assess whether risk refinements using CACS lead to a meaningful change in clinical outcome.

Cho and colleagues (2012) stated that the predictive value of CCTA in subjects without chest pain syndrome (CPS) has not been established.  These researchers investigated the prognostic value of CAD detection by CCTA and determined the incremental risk stratification benefit of CCTA findings compared with clinical risk factor scoring and CACS for individuals without CPS.  An open-label, 12-center, 6-country observational registry of 27,125 consecutive patients undergoing CCTA and CACS was queried, and 7,590 individuals without CPS or history of CAD met the inclusion criteria.  All-cause mortality and the composite of all-cause mortality and non-fatal myocardial infarction were measured.  During a median follow-up of 24 months (interquartile range, 18 to 35 months), all-cause mortality occurred in 136 individuals.  After risk adjustment, compared with individuals without evidence of CAD by CCTA, individuals with obstructive 2- and 3-vessel disease or left main coronary artery disease experienced higher rates of death and composite outcome (p < 0.05 for both).  Both CACS and CCTA significantly improved the performance of standard risk factor prediction models for all-cause mortality and the composite outcome (likelihood ratio p < 0.05 for all), but the incremental discriminatory value associated with their inclusion was more pronounced for the composite outcome and for CACS (C statistic for model with risk factors only was 0.71; for risk factors plus CACS, 0.75; for risk factors plus CACS plus CCTA, 0.77).  The net re-classification improvement resulting from the addition of CCTA to a model based on standard risk factors and CACS was negligible.  The authors concluded that although the prognosis for individuals without CPS is stratified by CCTA, the additional risk-predictive advantage by CCTA is not clinically meaningful compared with a risk model based on CACS.  Therefore, at present, the application of CCTA for risk assessment of individuals without CPS should not be justified.

The American College of Radiology Expert Panel on Cardiac Imaging’s clinical guideline on “Chronic chest pain - low to intermediate probability of coronary artery disease” (Woodard et al, 2012) rendered a “3” rating for CT coronary calcium (a “3” rating denotes the procedure is usually not appropriate).

Appendix

Table 1 can be used to assess if a person has a low or very low pre-test probability of CAD.  Alternatively, pre-test probability of CAD can be assessed using the Framingham Risk Scoring Tool available at the following website, with low -isk defined as a 10-year risk of less than 10 %: http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/atpiii/calculator.asp?usertype=prof. (For details on Framingham Risk Scoring, see appendix to CPB 0381 - Cardiac Disease Risk Tests.)

Table 1: ACC Criteria for Pre-test Probability of CAD by Age, Gender and Symptoms:†

Key:

• High: greater than 90 % pre-test probability
• Intermediate: between 10 % and 90 % pre-test probability
• Low: between 5 % and 10 % pre-test probability
• Very low: less than 5 % pre-test probability

†No data exist for patients less than 30 years or greater than 69 years, but it can be assumed that prevalence of CAD increases with age.  In a few cases, patients with ages at the extremes of the decades listed may have probabilities slightly outside the high or low range.

Source: Adapted from Hendel et al, 2006.

Table 2: Clinical Classification of Chest Pain:

Typical angina (definite):

(i) Substernal chest discomfort with a characteristic quality and duration that is (ii) provoked by exertion or emotional stress and (iii) relieved by rest or nitroglycerin

Atypical angina (probable):

Meets 2 of the above criteria.

Non-cardiac chest pain:

Meets 1 or none of the above criteria.

Source: Snow et al, 2004.

Table 3: Contraindications to Exercise Stress Testing:

The following contraindications to exercise stress testing are from the AHA/ACC guidelines:

• Acute aortic dissection
• Acute myocardial infarction (within 2 days)
• Acute myocarditis or pericarditis
• Acute pulmonary embolus or pulmonary infarction
• Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis
• Uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias causing symptoms or hemodynamic compromise
• Uncontrolled symptomatic heart failure
• Unstable angina not previously stabilized by medical therapy.

In addition, exercise stress testing is not useful in persons who are unable to exercise, persons on digoxin, persons who have a cardiac conduction abnormality that prevents achievement of an adequate heart rate response, persons on a medication (e.g., beta blockers, other negative chronotropic agents) that can not be stopped which prevent achievement of an adequate heart rate response, and persons with an uninterpretable electrocardiogram.  The American College of Cardiology defines an uninterpretable electrocardiogram as a ventricular paced rhythm, complete left bundle branch block, ventricular preexcitation arrhythmia (Wolfe Parkinson White syndrome), or greater than 1 mm ST segment depression at rest.

Table 4: Contraindications to Pharmacological Stress Testing:

The following are contraindications to adenosine or dipyridamole (Persantine) stress testing:

• Active bronchospasm or reactive airway disease;
• Patients taking Persantine (contraindication to adenosine stress testing);
• Patients using methylxanthines (e.g., caffeine and aminophylline) (In general, patients should refrain from ingesting caffeine for at least 24 hours prior to adenosineor dipyridamole administration);
• Severe bradycardia (heart rate less than 40 beats/min);
• Sick sinus syndrome or greater than than first-degree heart block (in persons without a ventricular-demand pacemaker);
• Systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg.

The following are contraindications to dobutamine stress testing:

• Atrial tachyarrhythmias with uncontrolled ventricular response;
• History of ventricular tachycardia;
• Left bundle branch block;
• Recent (within the past week) myocardial infarction;
• Significant aortic stenosis or obstructive cardiomyopathy;
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm;
• Uncontrolled hypertension;
• Unstable angina.