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Updated: Apr 10, 2026

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
Acute left circumflex coronary artery occlusion detected on nongated CT
Netanel S Berko1, Elana T Clark1, Jeffrey M Levsky1
1Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467-2490.
Insights
Computed tomographic aortography identified myocardial hypoperfusion and circumflex artery cutoff in a patient with chest pain. This imaging diagnosis guided prompt revascularization, highlighting CT
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Electrocardiograms can be nondiagnostic in patients presenting with chest pain.
- Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for managing acute coronary syndromes.
Observation:
- A patient with chest pain and a nondiagnostic electrocardiogram underwent computed tomographic (CT) aortography.
- CT aortography revealed myocardial hypoperfusion in the circumflex artery's territory.
- An abrupt contrast cutoff in the left circumflex artery was visualized.
Findings:
- CT aortography accurately identified a critical stenosis or occlusion of the circumflex artery.
- Subsequent cardiac catheterization confirmed the circumflex artery occlusion.
- The patient underwent successful revascularization.
Implications:
- CT aortography can be a valuable tool for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction when other tests are equivocal.
- Early diagnosis via CT can significantly alter clinical management and treatment strategies.
- This case underscores the role of advanced imaging in guiding cardiovascular interventions.
Abstract:
We describe a patient with chest pain and a nondiagnostic electrocardiogram in whom computed tomographic (CT) aortography demonstrated myocardial hypoperfusion in the distribution of the circumflex artery as well as an abrupt cutoff of contrast in the left circumflex artery. Subsequent cardiac catheterization confirmed occlusion of the circumflex artery and led to revascularization. The diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction on CT can dramatically alter the clinical management of a patient, especially in cases in which other tests are equivocal.
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