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Measurement of Coronary Artery Calcium in Elderly Patients
1Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Baptist Hospital of Miami, Miami, FL.
Insights
Coronary artery calcium scoring using CT scans helps assess heart disease risk. This review examines its specific value and interpretation in elderly patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Coronary artery calcium (CAC) quantification via computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used for coronary artery disease (CAD) assessment.
- Patient-driven demand, often influenced by marketing, prompts questions about the clinical utility of CAC scoring.
- The prevalence and incidence of CAD differ in elderly individuals, impacting CAC test interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current information on coronary artery calcium quantification.
- To explore the potential uses and clinical utility of CAC scoring specifically in elderly patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on coronary artery calcium quantification.
- Analysis of the interpretation and clinical utility of CAC scoring in the context of aging populations.
Main Results:
- CAC quantification is a valuable tool for assessing CAD presence, extent, and prognosis.
- The interpretation and clinical utility of CAC scoring in elderly patients differ from younger individuals due to higher CAD prevalence and incidence.
Conclusions:
- CAC quantification offers prognostic information for clinical events in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.
- Further review is needed to fully understand the specific applications and interpretation of CAC scoring in the elderly population.
Abstract:
Quantification of coronary artery calcium by electron beam and spiral computed tomography (CT) is being increasingly utilized as a technique to assess the presence and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as the prognosis for clinical events in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Much of the demand for this procedure is generated by patients exposed to marketing efforts, and patients often ask physicians about the value of this test. Since elderly patients have a high prevalence of coronary artery calcium as well as a higher incidence of clinical CAD, the interpretation and clinical utility of this test differs from that for younger individuals. This paper attempts to review currently available information concerning coronary artery calcium quantification and its potential uses in elderly patients. (c)1999 by Quantification of coronary artery calcium by electron beam and spiral computed tomography (CT) is being increasingly utilized as a technique to assess the presence and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as the prognosis for clinical events in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Much of the demand for this procedure is generated by patients exposed to marketing efforts, and patients often ask physicians about the value of this test. Since elderly patients have a high prevalence of coronary artery calcium as well as a higher incidence of clinical CAD, the interpretation and clinical utility of this test differs from that for younger individuals. This paper attempts to review currently available information concerning coronary artery calcium quantification and its potential uses in elderly patients. (c)1999 by CVRR, Inc.