Coronary disease & ACS

Adverse Cardiovascular Events Among Younger and Older Patients Referred for Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA): The Mass General Brigham CCTA Registry

JACC Cardiovasc ImagingPublished Retrospective cohort study

Authors' conclusion

In a large coronary CTA registry, patients ≥65 years of age were more likely to have extensive plaque and stenosis. Although the prognostic value of coronary CTA may be lower among older adults with nonobstructive plaque (a group that has a similar event rate as those with no CAD), the presence of extensive nonobstructive plaque or obstructive stenosis was independently associated with a significantly higher rate of MACE.

Study context

Population
Patients clinically referred to coronary CTA at 2 centres, 2006–2021, without prior coronary artery disease (CAD), severe renal disease or malignancy
Participants
22,412 participants
Exposure
Coronary CTA findings by age: <65 vs ≥65 years
  • <65 yearsn = 16,726
  • ≥65 yearsn = 5,686
Outcome
MACE (CV death, nonfatal MI or ischemic stroke) by CAD severity and extent
Follow-up
Median 6.2 years (Q1-Q3: 3.9-9.6 years)
Methodological details2 medical centres, registry
  • 2 medical centres
  • Registry

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

MACE by CAD severity, per age group
Obstructive CAD · <65 years
HR 2.45; P < 0.001
Obstructive CAD · ≥65 years
HR 1.97; P < 0.001
Nonobstructive plaque · <65 years
HR 1.39; P = 0.005
Extensive nonobstructive CAD · ≥65 years; only extensive nonobstructive CAD associated
HR 1.56; P = 0.02

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Nonobstructive plaque

Prevalence of obstructive CAD

Older vs younger patients
38% vs 15%

Extensive plaque (3- to 4-vessel involvement)

Older vs younger patients
52% vs 20%

Revascularization after early invasive coronary angiography (obstructive CAD on CTA)

Less common among older adults
48% vs 56%; P = 0.002

Original publication

Adverse Cardiovascular Events Among Younger and Older Patients Referred for Coronary CTA: The Mass General Brigham CCTA Registry. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. Published 19 February 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jcmg.2025.12.012

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