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Negatif Koroner Bilgisayarlı Tomografi Anjiyografide Saptanan Ekstrakardiyak Anormalliklerin Sıklığı ve Klinik Semptomlarla İlişkisi

Year 2025, Volume: 51 Issue: 3, 359 - 364, 08.12.2025
https://doi.org/10.32708/uutfd.1707752

Abstract

Koroner bilgisayarlı tomografi anjiyografi (koroner BTA), hem koroner arterleri hem de ekstrakardiyak bulguları değerlendirmede kullanılan değerli bir görüntüleme yöntemidir. Göğüs ağrısı ve dispne gibi semptomların kardiyak olmayan nedenlerinin tanınması, tanısal etkinliği artırabilir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, normal veya non-obstrüktif koroner BTA bulguları olan hastalarda ekstrakardiyak bulguların prevalansını değerlendirmek ve bu bulguların hastaların başvuru semptomlarını (örneğin göğüs ağrısı veya efor dispnesi) açıklayıp açıklayamayacağını belirlemektir. Ocak 2021 ile Aralık 2024 tarihleri arasında göğüs ağrısı veya dispne şikayetleri nedeniyle koroner BTA yapılan 358 hastanın retrospektif analizi gerçekleştirildi. Obstrüktif koroner arter hastalığı, konjenital koroner anomaliler, kapak hastalığı veya akut koroner sendrom tanısı olan hastalar çalışma dışı bırakıldı. Tüm koroner BTA görüntüleri, iki deneyimli radyolog tarafından ekstrakardiyak anormallikler açısından değerlendirildi ve bu bulguların hastanın semptomları ile olası ilişkisi incelendi. Ekstrakardiyak bulgular 236 hastada (%65,9) saptandı. En sık görülen bulgu vertebral dejeneratif değişikliklerdi (%39,1), bunu atelektazi (%14,8) ve amfizem (%10,6) izledi. Göğüs ağrısı olan hastaların %56’sında, efor dispnesi olan hastaların ise %64’ünde semptomlarla ilişkili olabilecek ekstrakardiyak bulgular tespit edildi. Kadın cinsiyet (p<0,05) ve ileri yaş (p<0,001), ekstrakardiyak bulguların daha yüksek prevalansı ile anlamlı şekilde ilişkili bulundu. Göğüs ağrısı ya da efor dispnesi nedeniyle koroner BTA uygulanan hastaların önemli bir kısmında, şikayetleri açıklayabilecek ekstrakardiyak anormallikler mevcuttur. Koroner BTA sırasında görülebilen tüm anatomik yapıların dikkatli bir şekilde değerlendirilmesi, tanısal etkinliği ve hasta yönetimini artırabilir. Kardiyak olmayan göğüs ağrısı ve dispne değerlendirmesinde bu bulguların rolünü araştırmak için ileri çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

References

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  • 2. Mumtaz ZUA, Desai SR, Padley SPG. Frequency of extracardiac findings on “negative” CT coronary angiography studies. Clin Radiol. 2024;79(2):e334-e343. doi:10.1016/j.crad.2023.11.005
  • 3. Ozturk E, Sivrioglu AK. Normal Koroner Anatomi ve Varyasyonlar. Türk Radyoloji Seminerleri. 2013;1(1):36-56. doi:10.5152/trs.2013.006
  • 4. Onuma Y, Tanabe K, Nakazawa G, et al. Noncardiac Findings in Cardiac Imaging With Multidetector Computed Tomography. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;48(2):402-406. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2006.04.071
  • 5. Goldman LH, Lerer R, Shabrang C, Travin MI, Levsky JM. Clinical significance of incidental findings on coronary CT angiography: Insights from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nuclear Cardiology. 2020;27(6):2306-2315. doi:10.1007/s12350-019-01647-6
  • 6. Williams MC, Hunter A, Shah ASV, et al. Impact of noncardiac findings in patients undergoing ct coronary angiography: A substudy of the scottish computed tomography of the heart (SCOT-HEART) trial. Eur Radiol. 2018;28(6):2639-2646. doi:10.1007/s00330-017-5181-5
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  • 9. Lazoura O, Vassiou K, Kanavou T, Vlychou M, Arvanitis DL, Fezoulidis I V. Incidental non-cardiac findings of a coronary angiography with a 128-slice multi-detector CT scanner: Should we only concentrate on the heart? Korean J Radiol. 2010;11(1):60-68. doi:10.3348/kjr.2010.11.1.60
  • 10. Karius P, Schuetz GM, Schlattmann P, Dewey M. Extracardiac findings on coronary CT angiography: A systematic review. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr. 2014;8(3):174-182.e6. doi:10.1016/j.jcct.2014.04.002
  • 11. Wester M, Koll F, Luedde M, et al. Effects of percutaneous coronary intervention on dyspnea in stable coronary artery disease. Clinical Research in Cardiology. 2023;112(9):1194-1203. doi:10.1007/s00392-022-02107-x
  • 12. Mol KA, Smoczynska A, Rahel BM, et al. Non-cardiac chest pain: Prognosis and secondary healthcare utilisation. Open Heart. 2018;5(2). doi:10.1136/openhrt-2018-000859
  • 13. Kim J, Hiura GT, Oelsner EC, et al. Hiatal hernia prevalence and natural history on non-contrast CT in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2021;8(1). doi:10.1136/bmjgast-2020-000565
  • 14. McDevitt-Petrovic O, Kirby K, Shevlin M. The prevalence of non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) using emergency department (ED) data: A Northern Ireland based study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2017;17(1). doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2493-8
  • 15. Aglan I, Jodocy D, Hiehs S, et al. Clinical relevance and scope of accidental extracoronary findings in coronary computed tomography angiography: A cardiac versus thoracic FOV study. Eur J Radiol. 2010;74(1):166-174. doi:10.1016/J.EJRAD.2009.01.038
  • 16. Bendix K, Jensen JM, Poulsen S, Mygind N, Nørgaard BL. Coronary dual source multi detector computed tomography in patients suspected of coronary artery disease: Prevalence of incidental extra-cardiac findings. Eur J Radiol. 2011;80(1):109-114. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2010.05.024
  • 17. Goldman LH, Lerer R, Shabrang C, Travin MI, Levsky JM. Clinical significance of incidental findings on coronary CT angiography: Insights from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nuclear Cardiology. 2020;27(6):2306-2315. doi:10.1007/S12350-019-01647-6
  • 18. Buckens CF, Verkooijen HM, Gondrie MJ, Jairam P, Mali WP, van der Graaf Y. Unrequested findings on cardiac computed tomography: Looking beyond the heart. PLoS One. 2012;7(4). doi:10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0032184

The Prevalence of Extracardiac Abnormalities Identified in Negative Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography and Its Association with Clinical Symptoms

Year 2025, Volume: 51 Issue: 3, 359 - 364, 08.12.2025
https://doi.org/10.32708/uutfd.1707752

Abstract

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is valuable for assessing both coronary and incidental extracardiac findings. Recognizing non-cardiac causes of chest pain and dyspnea can improve diagnostic efficiency. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of extracardiac findings in patients with normal or non-obstructive CCTA and to determine whether these findings could account for their presenting symptoms, such as chest pain or exertional dyspnea. We retrospectively analyzed 358 patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography between January 2021 and December 2024 due to chest pain or dyspnea. Patients with obstructive coronary artery disease, congenital coronary anomalies, valvular disease, or acute coronary syndrome were excluded. Two experienced radiologists reviewed all scans for extracardiac abnormalities and evaluated their potential relationship with patient symptoms. Extracardiac findings were identified in 236 patients (65.9%), with vertebral degenerative changes (39.1%) being the most frequent, followed by atelectasis (14.8%) and emphysema (10.6%). Findings potentially explaining chest pain were noted in 56% of patients with this symptom, while 64% of those with exertional dyspnea had relevant extracardiac abnormalities. Female sex and older age were significantly associated with higher prevalence of extracardiac findings (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). A substantial proportion of patients undergoing CCTA for chest pain or exertional dyspnea harbor extracardiac abnormalities that may explain their complaints. Careful evaluation of all structures visible on CCTA can improve diagnostic efficiency and patient management. Further studies are warranted to explore the role of these findings in non-cardiac chest pain and dyspnea.

References

  • 1. Tresoldi S, Ravelli A, Sbaraini S, et al. Computed tomography coronary angiography in patients without known coronary artery disease can demonstrate possible non-cardiovascular causes of non-acute retrosternal chest pain. Insights Imaging. 2018;9(5):687-694. doi:10.1007/s13244-018-0654-x
  • 2. Mumtaz ZUA, Desai SR, Padley SPG. Frequency of extracardiac findings on “negative” CT coronary angiography studies. Clin Radiol. 2024;79(2):e334-e343. doi:10.1016/j.crad.2023.11.005
  • 3. Ozturk E, Sivrioglu AK. Normal Koroner Anatomi ve Varyasyonlar. Türk Radyoloji Seminerleri. 2013;1(1):36-56. doi:10.5152/trs.2013.006
  • 4. Onuma Y, Tanabe K, Nakazawa G, et al. Noncardiac Findings in Cardiac Imaging With Multidetector Computed Tomography. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;48(2):402-406. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2006.04.071
  • 5. Goldman LH, Lerer R, Shabrang C, Travin MI, Levsky JM. Clinical significance of incidental findings on coronary CT angiography: Insights from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nuclear Cardiology. 2020;27(6):2306-2315. doi:10.1007/s12350-019-01647-6
  • 6. Williams MC, Hunter A, Shah ASV, et al. Impact of noncardiac findings in patients undergoing ct coronary angiography: A substudy of the scottish computed tomography of the heart (SCOT-HEART) trial. Eur Radiol. 2018;28(6):2639-2646. doi:10.1007/s00330-017-5181-5
  • 7. Cademartiri F, Casolo G, Clemente A, et al. Coronary CT angiography: a guide to examination, interpretation, and clinical indications. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2021;19(5):413-425. doi:10.1080/14779072.2021.1915132
  • 8. Moser LJ, Gutberlet M, Vliegenthart R, et al. Clinically Relevant Extracardiac Findings at Cardiac Imaging: Insights from the European MR/CT Registry. Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging. 2024;6(5). doi:10.1148/ryct.240117
  • 9. Lazoura O, Vassiou K, Kanavou T, Vlychou M, Arvanitis DL, Fezoulidis I V. Incidental non-cardiac findings of a coronary angiography with a 128-slice multi-detector CT scanner: Should we only concentrate on the heart? Korean J Radiol. 2010;11(1):60-68. doi:10.3348/kjr.2010.11.1.60
  • 10. Karius P, Schuetz GM, Schlattmann P, Dewey M. Extracardiac findings on coronary CT angiography: A systematic review. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr. 2014;8(3):174-182.e6. doi:10.1016/j.jcct.2014.04.002
  • 11. Wester M, Koll F, Luedde M, et al. Effects of percutaneous coronary intervention on dyspnea in stable coronary artery disease. Clinical Research in Cardiology. 2023;112(9):1194-1203. doi:10.1007/s00392-022-02107-x
  • 12. Mol KA, Smoczynska A, Rahel BM, et al. Non-cardiac chest pain: Prognosis and secondary healthcare utilisation. Open Heart. 2018;5(2). doi:10.1136/openhrt-2018-000859
  • 13. Kim J, Hiura GT, Oelsner EC, et al. Hiatal hernia prevalence and natural history on non-contrast CT in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2021;8(1). doi:10.1136/bmjgast-2020-000565
  • 14. McDevitt-Petrovic O, Kirby K, Shevlin M. The prevalence of non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) using emergency department (ED) data: A Northern Ireland based study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2017;17(1). doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2493-8
  • 15. Aglan I, Jodocy D, Hiehs S, et al. Clinical relevance and scope of accidental extracoronary findings in coronary computed tomography angiography: A cardiac versus thoracic FOV study. Eur J Radiol. 2010;74(1):166-174. doi:10.1016/J.EJRAD.2009.01.038
  • 16. Bendix K, Jensen JM, Poulsen S, Mygind N, Nørgaard BL. Coronary dual source multi detector computed tomography in patients suspected of coronary artery disease: Prevalence of incidental extra-cardiac findings. Eur J Radiol. 2011;80(1):109-114. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2010.05.024
  • 17. Goldman LH, Lerer R, Shabrang C, Travin MI, Levsky JM. Clinical significance of incidental findings on coronary CT angiography: Insights from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nuclear Cardiology. 2020;27(6):2306-2315. doi:10.1007/S12350-019-01647-6
  • 18. Buckens CF, Verkooijen HM, Gondrie MJ, Jairam P, Mali WP, van der Graaf Y. Unrequested findings on cardiac computed tomography: Looking beyond the heart. PLoS One. 2012;7(4). doi:10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0032184
There are 18 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Radiology and Organ Imaging
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Eren Tobcu 0000-0002-0144-0142

Özge Tanişman 0000-0003-2075-0856

Erdal Karavaş 0000-0001-6649-3256

Bilgin Topçu 0009-0006-0158-1304

Ali Duygu 0000-0001-6849-8894

Submission Date May 29, 2025
Acceptance Date September 18, 2025
Publication Date December 8, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 51 Issue: 3

Cite

AMA Tobcu E, Tanişman Ö, Karavaş E, Topçu B, Duygu A. The Prevalence of Extracardiac Abnormalities Identified in Negative Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography and Its Association with Clinical Symptoms. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty. December 2025;51(3):359-364. doi:10.32708/uutfd.1707752

ISSN: 1300-414X, e-ISSN: 2645-9027

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