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Imaging of coronary artery calcification
William L Simpson1, David S Mendelson
1Department of Radiology, Box 1234, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One East 100th Street, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Insights
Coronary artery disease screening is improved with coronary calcium scoring. This method detects early calcification in asymptomatic individuals, enabling timely preventive therapies for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of death.
- Traditional CAD evaluation focuses on symptoms and advanced disease.
- Early screening for asymptomatic coronary atherosclerosis was lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel method for early screening of coronary atherosclerosis.
- To utilize coronary calcification as a marker for early disease detection.
- To enable early intervention through risk factor modification.
Main Methods:
- Development of electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) and subsecond helical CT.
- Screening and quantification of coronary calcification.
- Calculation of the coronary calcium score based on calcification area and density.
Main Results:
- Coronary calcification is a recognized marker for atheromatous plaque.
- New CT technologies allow for accurate measurement of coronary calcium.
- The coronary calcium score quantifies calcification, indicating disease presence.
Conclusions:
- Coronary calcium scoring provides a method for early CAD screening in asymptomatic populations.
- This technique identifies patients at risk for coronary artery disease.
- Early identification facilitates timely risk factor modification and preventive therapy.
Abstract:
Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Americans. The traditional methods of evaluating coronary artery disease rely on the evaluation of the patient s symptoms and the presence of advanced disease. Until recently there was no method of early screening for coronary atherosclerosis in an asymptomatic population. However, calcification is a recognized marker for disease and is sometimes a component of the atheromatous plaque. With the advent of electron-beam computed tomography and subsecond helical computed tomography, a method of screening for and quantitating the amount of coronary calcification has been developed. The coronary calcium score is based on both the area and density of the calcification. This methodology can identify patients at risk for coronary artery disease, so that risk factor modification and preventive therapy can be initiated early in the course of the disease.