Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
04:40

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans

Published on: August 28, 2018

Coronary calcium score improves classification of coronary heart disease risk in the elderly: the Rotterdam study

Suzette E Elias-Smale1, Rozemarijn Vliegenthart Proença, Michael T Koller

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|October 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring significantly reclassifies 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in elderly individuals. New cutoff values of 615 and 50 Agatston units help identify high and low risk, respectively.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring improves coronary heart disease (CHD) risk prediction.
  • Limited data exist on the clinical impact of CAC scoring in practice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of CAC scoring on 10-year hard CHD risk classification.
  • To establish empirical CAC cutoff values for a general elderly population.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 2,028 asymptomatic elderly participants (mean age 69.6 years) from the Rotterdam Study.
  • Follow-up of 9.2 years with 135 hard coronary events.
  • Risk stratification using Framingham model, then enhanced with CAC scoring; reclassification percentages calculated.

Main Results:

  • CAC scoring substantially reclassified 52% of intermediate-risk individuals into more accurate risk categories.
  • CAC values >615 Agatston units identified high risk.
  • CAC values <50 Agatston units identified low risk.

Conclusions:

  • CAC scoring is effective for reclassifying intermediate CHD risk in elderly populations.
  • Empirically derived CAC cutoff values are 615 (high risk) and 50 (low risk) Agatston units.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Semi-Automatic Graphical Tool for Measuring Coronary Artery Spatially Weighted Calcium Score from Gated Cardiac Computed Tomography Images06:57

Semi-Automatic Graphical Tool for Measuring Coronary Artery Spatially Weighted Calcium Score from Gated Cardiac Computed Tomography Images

Published on: September 22, 2023

A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro11:30

A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro

Published on: June 2, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT01:25

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT

Calcium-Scoring CT ScanA calcium-scoring CT scan, also known as coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan, detects calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. This test assesses the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to cardiovascular events such as angina, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.A calcium-scoring CT scan is generally recommended for individuals at intermediate risk of CAD without symptoms. It includes:Men aged 40-75 and women aged 50-75: Especially those with a...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT01:28

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scanning is an advanced cardiac imaging technique that utilizes CT technology, with or without intravenous (IV) contrast, to produce accurate cross-sectional virtual slices of specific areas of the heart, coronary circulation, and major blood vessels such as the aorta, pulmonary veins, and arteries. The computer processes these slices to generate three-dimensional images. Multidetector CT (MDCT) is a rapid form of CT scanning that captures multiple slices...