Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
Insights
Mild coronary artery disease poses a significant mortality risk, even in asymptomatic individuals. This finding suggests that coronary artery disease presence should restrict flight certifications due to its powerful risk factor status.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) affects major vessels.
- Asymptomatic CAD can have significant implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the annual mortality rate in patients with specific coronary artery disease (CAD) presentations.
- To evaluate the risk associated with mild, asymptomatic CAD.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the London Chest Hospital coronary artery study.
- Examination of mortality rates in patient groups with no main trunk CAD or isolated single main vessel lesions.
Main Results:
- An annual mortality rate of 1.5% was observed in patients without main trunk CAD or with isolated single main vessel lesions.
- Mild, asymptomatic coronary artery disease was associated with a 0.9% annual mortality rate.
- Coronary artery disease presence is a significant risk factor for disease progression.
Conclusions:
- Even mild coronary artery disease is a powerful risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events.
- Unrestricted flight certification may be inappropriate for individuals with diagnosed coronary artery disease.
Abstract:
In the London Chest Hospital coronary artery study, patients without coronary artery disease involving the main trunks or with an isolated single main vessel lesion had an annual mortality rate of 1.5%. Many of these were asymptomatic when investigated but may have previously suffered angina or myocardial infarction. The data further suggested that even in asymptomatic subjects, mild coronary artery disease is associated with an annual mortality of 0.9%. Its presence therefore is a powerful risk factor for further manifestations of disease and should preclude unrestricted certification to fly.
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