Coronary CT angiography is a safe gatekeeper in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome - The VECTOR study.
Coronary CT angiography can safely triage NSTEACS patients, avoiding invasive angiography for 1 in 5 and guiding efficient revascularization for the rest - a game-changing approach to managing acute chest pain.
The VECTOR study assessed whether coronary CT angiography (CCTA) can be used to safely discharge non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) patients without obstructive coronary artery disease. 250 NSTEACS patients underwent CCTA, which categorized them into non-obstructive (20%) and obstructive/non-diagnostic (80%) groups. The non-obstructive group was discharged without invasive angiography and had a 12-month event-free follow-up. In the obstructive group, CCTA helped guide percutaneous coronary intervention by reducing radiation, equipment, and contrast use. The study demonstrates CCTA's potential to streamline NSTEACS management, avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures for some patients while optimizing care for others.