Diagnostic accuracy of anatomic vs functional tests for coronary artery disease in patients with left bundle branch block and right ventricular pacing

Introduction and objectives

A lower accuracy of functional tests for the diagnosis of significant coronary disease in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) has been described, due to a greater number of false positives. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an anatomic test such as computerized tomography coronary angiogram (CTCA) outperforms SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) or dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in the diagnosis of significant coronary artery disease in patients with LBBB and right ventricular pacing.

Methods

Observational study of 149 patients with LBBB and right ventricular pacing referred to SPECT-MPI, DSE or CTCA at three centers. Diagnostic performance (predictive accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value) was evaluated using coronary angiography as the benchmark.

Results

The study included 77 patients who underwent SPECT-MPI, 39 who performed DSE and 33 who performed CTCA. The prevalence of obstructive coronary disease was similar in the three cohorts, with a higher rate of abnormal results on SPECT-MPI (84% vs 64% vs 61%; P = .009). Predicted accuracy was significantly lower in the SPECT-MPI group (39% vs 64% vs 67%; P = .006). DSE and CTCA showed a similar rate of abnormal results, as well as similar predictive accuracy (64% vs 67%; P > .999).

Conclusions

In patients with LBBB and right ventricular pacing, DSE and CTCA had similar accuracy and performed better than SPECT-MPI for the diagnosis of significant coronary artery disease.