Introduction: To determine the prevalence of clinically significant noncardiac findings in patients undergoing computer tomography in an outpatient cardiac computer tomography facility.

Material and methods: Eight hundred and ninety-four procedures were performed in 875 consecutive patients referred for computer tomography procedures in an academic outpatient cardiac computer tomography facility. The patients included 518 men and 357 women, mean age 64±12 years. Cardiac and coronary artery calcium studies studies were interpreted by1of 2 board certified cardiologists experienced in cardiac computer tomography. All noncardiac studies as well as all segments of the chest imaged during cardiac and coronary artery calcium studies were interpreted by 1 of 3 experienced board certified radiologists.

Results: Radiologically significant clinically significant noncardiac findings were found in 163 of 875 patients (19%). Clinically significant incidental pulmonary findings were found in 133 of 875 patients (15%) and clinically significant noncardiac nonpulmonary findings in 44 of 875 patients (5%).

Conclusions: A significant number of radiologically significant clinically significant noncardiac findings requiring follow-up can be identified by cardiac computer tomography.