Prevalence and associated risk factors of coronary artery disease in patients with a zero coronary calcium score.

Abstract Purpose A zero coronary calcium score (CCS) is not able to provide a definite exclusion for coronary artery disease (CAD). The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated cardiovascular risk factors of CAD in patients with zero CCS. Methods Six hundred thirteen patients with zero CCS referred to coronary calcium score analysis (CCSA) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) with suspicion of CAD were included. The descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses were used to determine the prevalence and predictors of CAD presence. Results Among 613 patients, 17 patients (2.7%) have NCCP, and obstructive CAD was found in 3 patients (0.48%). Multivariate analysis revealed that male gender and older age (≥50 years) were significantly associated with the presence of noncalcified coronary plaques (NCCP) (p  Conclusion A non-negligible portion of patients with zero CCS had CAD. Male gender and older age (≥50 years) were independently associated with NCCP. Due to the high specificity value (84.2%) and negative predictive value (99.0%) of the male gender and older age (≥50 years) model, selective use of CCTA is recommended in