Impaired Coronary Vasodilation by Magnetic Resonance Angiography Is Associated With Advanced Coronary Artery Calcification

• Published in: JACC. Cardiovascular imaging 2008-03, Vol.1 (2), p.167-173
• Main Authors: Terashima, Masahiro, MD, PhD, FACC, Nguyen, Patricia K., MD, Rubin, Geoffrey D., MD, Iribarren, Carlos, MD, MPH, PhD, Courtney, Brian K., MD, Go, Alan S., MD, Fortmann, Stephen P., MD, McConnell, Michael V., MD, MSEE, FACC
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Calcinosis - diagnosis; Calcinosis - physiopathology; Cardiovascular; Coronary Artery Disease - diagnosis; Coronary Artery Disease - physiopathology; Female; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Male; Middle Aged; Nitroglycerin; Predictive Value of Tests; Severity of Illness Index; Vasodilation; Vasodilator Agents
• ISSN: 1936-878X; 1876-7591
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2007.12.001

Impaired Coronary Vasodilation by Magnetic Resonance Angiography Is Associated With Advanced Coronary Artery Calcification Masahiro Terashima, Patricia K. Nguyen, Geoffrey D. Rubin, Carlos Iribarren, Brian K. Courtney, Alan S. Go, Stephen P. Fortmann, Michael V. McConnell Two hundred thirty-six asymptomatic older individuals (age 60 to 72 years, 33% female) were studied with coronary magnetic resonance and computed tomography calcium scoring with the hypothesis that impaired nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced coronary vasodilation is associated with advanced coronary atherosclerosis. Cross-sectional images of the right coronary artery were acquired before and 5 min after the administration of 0.4-mg sublingual NTG using gated, breath-held spiral coronary magnetic resonance angiography. Patients with high calcium scores (>400) showed significantly reduced coronary vasodilation to NTG compared with those with lower calcium scores. Thus, advanced coronary atherosclerosis is associated with impaired coronary vasodilation in a community-based asymptomatic population.