Department of Medicine, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
Research Article
Diagnosis and Treatment of Silent Coronary Ischemia May Reduce Adverse Cardiac Events and Improve Long-Term Survival of Patients Undergoing Lower-Extremity Revascularization
Author(s): Dainis Krievins*, Edgars Zellans, Gustavs Latkovskis and Christopher Zarins
Background: Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) undergoing lower-extremity revascularization are at
increased risk of death and Myocardial Infarction (MI) due to co-existing Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) which is
often unrecognized due to absence of chest pain symptoms. A new cardiac diagnostic test, coronary CT-derived
Fractional Flow Reserve (FFRCT), can identify patients with unsuspected (silent) coronary ischemia. We sought to
determine whether pre-operative diagnosis of silent coronary ischemia using FFRCT can facilitate multidisciplinary
care to reduce post-operative death and MI and improve survival of PAD patients.
Methods: Symptomatic PAD patients with no cardiac history or symptoms were enrolled in a prospective, open-label
study of coronary CTA and FFRCT testing before lower.. View more»