81 CLINICAL RELEVANCE OF MYOCARDIAL BRIDGING DETECTED BY 64-SLICE MULTIDETECTOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ANGIOGRAPHY. Issue 1 (1st January 2007) - Polena, S.
Abstract : Background: Myocardial bridging (MB) is an intramyocardial coronary artery segment commonly found in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Correlation of symptoms with the presence of the MB is controversial. Methods: 108 patients with MB detected by 64-slice multidetector computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) were followed prospectively for the evaluation of cardiac symptoms. Patients were contacted by telephone at 6 months and 1 year, and a standardized questionnaire was completed. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1, patients with MB; group 2, age- and gender-matched controls without MB. Results: There was no significant difference between the presenting cardiac symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations) between the two groups (34 vs 39% p value = NS). During the 6- and 12-month follow-ups, there was a significant and equal decrease in the symptoms in both groups (Table). Conclusions: In an age- and gender-matched population, the presence of MB detected by MDCTA was not associated with an increase in cardiac symptoms, either at presentation or during a 12-month follow-up period. MDCT provides a unique opportunity to accurately and noninvasively diagnose MB; the clinical relevance requires further evaluation.