Calcium score as assessed by multi-slice computed tomography does not predict maximum plaque burden: an in vitro study

• Published in: Heart (British Cardiac Society) Vol. 90; no. 9; pp. 1057 - 1058
• Main Authors: Frick, M, Karakolcu, F, Gschnitzer, H, Alber, H F, Stoeger, A, Obrist, P, Friedrich, G, Weidinger, F, Pachinger, O, Schwarzacher, S P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Cardiovascular Society 01.09.2004; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; Copyright 2004 by Heart
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis of Variance; Atherosclerosis; Biological and medical sciences; Calcification; Calcinosis - diagnostic imaging; Calcinosis - pathology; Calcium; calcium score; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular disease; computed tomography; Coronary Artery Disease - diagnostic imaging; Coronary Artery Disease - pathology; Coronary vessels; EBCT; electron beam computed tomography; Humans; intravascular ultrasound; IVUS; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; multi-slice computed tomography; plaque burden; Predictive Value of Tests; Scientific Letters; Spices; Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Maximum; Radiodiagnosis; Calcium; Prediction; Medical imagery; Computerized axial tomography; Circulatory system; Cardiology; In vitro; Phlebology
• ISSN: 1355-6037; 1468-201X
• DOI: 10.1136/hrt.2003.014910

[...]CT can accurately detect coronary calcification; secondly, average and maximum plaque burden are not different between CT detected calcium positive and negative arteries; and thirdly, a significant, although weak correlation between average plaque burden and calcium score was found on a single segment basis. [...]our data do not support the use of a negative calcium score as an exclusion criterion for the presence of coronary artery disease.