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Objectives This study sought to assess the relationship between mean vs peak calcified plaque density and their impact on calculating coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores and to compare the corresponding differential prediction of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. Background The Agatston CAC score is quantified per lesion as the product of plaque area and a 4-level categorical peak calcium density factor. However, mean calcium density may more accurately measure the heterogenous mixture of lipid-rich, fibrous, and calcified plaque reflective of ASCVD risk. Methods We included 10,373 individuals from the CAC Consortium who had CAC >0 and per-vessel measurements of peak calcium density factor and mean calcium density. Area under the curve and continuous net reclassification improvement analyses were performed for CHD and ASCVD mortality to compare the predictive abilities of mean calcium density vs peak calcium density factor when calculating the Agatston CAC score. Results Participants were on average 53.4 years of age, 24.4% were women, and the median CAC score was 68 Agatston units. The average values for mean calcium density and peak calcium density factor were 210 ± 50 Hounsfield units and 3.1 ± 0.5, respectively. Individuals younger than 50 years of age and/or those with a total plaque area 100. Conclusion Mean and peak calcium density may differentially describe plaque composition early in the atherosclerotic process. Mean calcium density performs better than peak calcium density factor when combined with plaque area for ASCVD mortality prediction among persons with Agatston CAC 1-99.

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is associated with a progressive cardiac remodeling that ultimately leads to heart failure and death if the valve is not replaced. The confirmation of AS severity is therefore crucial to adequately manage patients with AS. Transthoracic echocardiography is the first-line examination to confirm AS severity, but it may be inconclusive in discordant cases. In this setting, AS severity should be confirmed using a multimodality imaging approach. This review gives an overview of how to assess and/or confirm AS severity, especially in case of discordance.

The Agatston Calcium Score is a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events but it is unable to identify high-risk lesions. Recent research suggests that examining calcification phenotype could be more indicative of plaque stability.To examine the Agatston score's ability to determine atherosclerotic calcification phenotype.Micro-Computed Tomography was performed on 20 carotid and 20 peripheral lower limb lesions. ImageJ pixel histogram analysis quantified the non-calcified (≥30HU,130HU) and calcified (≥130HU) tissue volumes. ImageJ '3D Objects Counter' plugin determined the calcified particle count, volumes and maximum attenuation density of each particle. Image stacks were subsequently downsampled to a resolution of 0.7 × 0.7 × 3 mm and an approximation for the Extra-Coronary Calcium Scores (ECCS) were calculated. Spearman's correlation examined the relationships between ECCS approximations and calcification parameters.ECCS has a strong positive correlation with the Calcified Volume Fraction (CVF) (rThe density-weighted Agatston calcium scoring methodology needs to be reviewed. Calcium scoring which differentiates between critical calcification morphologies, rather than presenting a density-weighted score, is required to direct high-risk plaques towards tailored treatment.

The management of coronary artery disease (CAD) in aviators remains as one of the dominant preoccupation in determining vocational fitness. With the emerging awareness and accessibility of non-invasive modalities for assessing CAD, there is an increasing likelihood that aircrew may have undergone some form of functional or anatomic assessment of the coronary circulation, prior to their presentation to the aviation medical examination office. In particular, computer tomographic coronary angiography (CTCA) and CT coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) had gained significant traction in recent years, as novel scanning algorithms had enabled faster, safer and more affordable imaging. However, the utilization of CTCA and CACS are not without challenges. Against this backdrop, this paper presents three clinical vignettes of aviators who presented to our cardiac department for specialist evaluation and the eventual aeromedical dispositions. The paper also discusses the evolving opportunities and issues in the application of CTCA and CACS findings to aeromedical risk assessment in aviators.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. Despite major advances in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, enhanced prevention of ischemic heart disease remains critical to improving the health of individuals and communities. The computed tomographic coronary artery calcium score is an established imaging biomarker that identifies the presence and amount of coronary atherosclerosis in an individual and their future risk for clinical cardiovascular disease and premature cardiovascular death. This article describes the process of performing a computed tomography scan for coronary artery calcium, quantifying the score and interpreting the results.

Computed tomography (CT) might be a good diagnostic test to accurately quantify calcium in vascular beds but there are multiple factors influencing the quantification. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different computed tomography protocol settings in the quantification of calcium in the lower extremities using modified Agatston and volume scores.Fresh-frozen human legs were scanned at different tube current protocols and reconstructed at different slice thickness. Two different iterative reconstruction protocols for conventional CT images were compared. Calcium was manually scored using modified Agatston and volume scores. Outcomes were statistically analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and mean absolute and relative differences were plotted in Bland-Altman plots.Of the 20 legs, 16 had CT detectable calcifications. Differences between thick and thin slice reconstruction protocols were 129 Agatston units and 125% for Agatston and 78.4 mmSlice thickness reconstruction and reconstruction method protocols influenced the modified Agatston and volume scores in leg arteries, but tube current and different observers did not have an effect. This data emphasizes the need for standardized quantification of leg artery calcifications. Possible implications are in the development of a more universal quantification method, independent of the type of scan and vasculature.

Background Aortic valve calcification (AVC) quantification is computed from multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that three-dimensional (3D) transthoracic echocardiography can be used to provide a bedside method to assess AVC. Methods The study included 94 patients (mean age, 78 ± 12 years; mean aortic valve [AV] area, 1.0 ± 0.6 cm2) referred for MDCT and echocardiography for AV assessment. Apical 3D full-volume data sets focused on the AV region were acquired during transthoracic echocardiography, and a region-growing algorithm was applied offline to compute 3D transthoracic echocardiographic AVC (AVC-3DEcho). AVC-3DEcho was compared with AVC by MDCT and with calcium weight in the subgroup of patients referred for surgery, with explanted AVs analyzed by a pathologist (n = 22). Results In the explanted valve group, AVC-3DEcho score exhibited fair correlations with MDCT score (r = 0.85, P 1,054 mm3 identified severe aortic stenosis with specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 76%. In addition, AVC-3DEcho was associated with the presence of significant paravalvular regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Finally, intraobserver and interobserver variability for AVC-3DEcho score was 4.2% and 8.9%, respectively. Conclusions AVC-3DEcho correlated with calcium weight obtained from pathologic analysis and MDCT. These data suggest that a bedside method for quantifying AV calcification with ultrasound is feasible.

Cardiovascular risk assessment has assumed a prominent role in the course of preventive care of all adults. Traditionally cardiovascular risk assessment has been performed using risk factors including gender, age, smoking history, lipid status, diabetes status, and family history. Increasingly, imaging has been deployed to directly detect coronary atherosclerotic disease. Quantification of coronary calcium (e.g., Agatston method, calcium mass and volume) is readily detected using helical CT scanners. Large multicenter cohort studies have enabled a better understanding of the relevance of coronary calcium detection. The purpose of this review is to review the methods for quantification of coronary artery calcium, as well as to present current and future perspectives on calcium scoring for cardiovascular risk stratification.

Prior studies have suggested significant underutilization of statins in women and poorer cardiovascular outcomes. The impact of calcium scoring in improving utilization of evidence-based therapies and outcomes in large prospective studies is limited. In a prospective study of low cost or no-cost

To investigate the association between aortic root calcification (ARC) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) assessed by coronary artery calcium-scoring dual-source computed tomography (DSCT).We retrospectively analyzed 143 consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery calcium-scoring during coronary DSCT angiography. 57 patients had findings of ARC on calcium-scoring scans. ARC volume (ARCV) and Agatston coronary artery calcium score (CACS) were calculated. Chi-square test was used to assess differences of categorical variables between patients with and without ARC. Statistical significances between both groups were assessed with the independent-Sample t test.Compared with patients without ARC (n=86), patients with ARC (n=57) showed a significantly higher presence of CAC (87.7% vs. 24.4%; P0.001), and a higher mean CACS (700.6 ± 941.2 vs. 256.4 ± 724.3; P=0.009) in patients with CAC. Patients with a calculated ARCV40 mm(3) (n=32) showed significantly higher rates of severe CAC (56.3% vs. 24.0%; P=0.014) compared with patients with an ARCV40 mm(3) (n=25). Compared with patients without CAC (n=42), patients with CAC (n=101) showed a significantly higher presence of ARC (83.3% vs. 50.5%; P0.001) and a higher mean ARCV (95.4 ± 116.2mm(3) vs. 29.7 ± 33.0 mm(3); P=0.003). Severe CAC (n=24) correlated with an increased mean ARCV (122.3 ± 148.8mm(3)) compared to patients with minimal to moderate CAC (n=33, mean ARCV: 61.9 ± 64.8mm(3); P0.05).The extent of ARC is directly associated with the presence and degree of CAC on calcium-scoring scans during coronary DSCT angiography.

Noninvasive coronary angiography and calcium scoring with the use of multi-detector computed tomography scanners are feasible for reliably detecting coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate organ dose and scattering dose for CT coronary angiography and calcium scoring using automatic tube current modulation. Organ doses of an anthropomorphic phantom were estimated using LiF:Mg,Cu,P thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) chips. The dose profiles inside and outside the scanning regions were measured. Effective doses for coronary angiography and calcium scoring without using automatic tube current modulation are respectively 12.72 ± 2.06 and 1.69 ± 0.30 mSv. Using automatic tube current modulation can reduce effective dose by 43% for coronary angiography, and 24–32% for calcium scoring. Scatter doses at the point of 10 cm away from the margin of scanning region decreased to 5–9% of in-plane doses. Using automatic tube current modulation can effectively reduce radiation doses inside the CT scanning region.

We sought to develop and validate a new optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based calcium scoring system to predict stent underexpansion. After excluding lesions treated with atherectomy or without any calcium, a calcium volume index (CVI) was developed using 128 pts with pre- and post-stent OCT (

The aim of this study was to assess trends in utilization and Medicare coverage of cardiac CT and coronary CT angiography (CCTA).Medicare claims for cardiac CT and CCTA were identified for the first 3 complete years for which Current Procedural Terminology(®) tracking codes existed (2006-2008). The frequencies of billed and denied services were extracted on national and regional bases, along with reporting physician specialty and site of service.Total annual claims for cardiac CT and CCTA services for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries increased from 58,124 to 95,269 (+64%) between 2006 and 2008. The overall percentage of denied claims decreased from 34% to 21% (20,014 of 58,124 to 20,062 of 95,269, P.001), with the highest denial rate for calcium scoring studies (declining from 82% to 61%) and the lowest rate for CCTA (29% to 14%). Annual overall regional denial rates ranged from 8.9% to 80.6%. Of all 254,672 base services, 138,136 claims (54%) were submitted by cardiologists, 90,767 (36%) by radiologists, and 13,445 (5%) by others. In 12,324 cases (5%), provider specialty was undetermined. Two-thirds (67%) of services were reported in the office setting (170,511), followed by the outpatient hospital (64,008 [25%]), inpatient hospital (15,922 [6%]), ER (1,577 [1%]), and all other (2,654 [1%]) settings.Most cardiac CT and CCTA services are reported by cardiologists and most takes place in private office and outpatient hospital settings. During the first 3 years of Current Procedural Terminology tracking codes, the utilization of cardiac CT and CCTA by Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries increased by 64%. Despite perceptions that new technology tracking codes are rarely payable, a large majority of all examinations are reimbursed by Medicare. Coverage varies regionally but overall has improved, setting the stage for expanded patient access.

Rationale and Objectives Coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography has been shown to detect noncalcified coronary artery plaque. Depending on tissue composition, noncalcified plaque differs in CT attenuation from blood and epicardial fat. The aim of this study was to determine whether noncalcified plaque can be visually detected on non-contrast-enhanced CT calcium scoring studies. Materials and Methods A total of 106 patients (40 women; mean age, 59 years) who underwent coronary calcium scoring, coronary CT angiography, and quantitative catheter angiography were prospectively investigated. Two blinded observers independently reviewed calcium scoring studies for positive vascular remodeling and hypoattenuation within the vessel wall, suggestive of noncalcified plaque. Findings on calcium scoring studies were compared with those on coronary CT angiography and quantitative catheter angiography. Results The mean Agatston score was 515.8 ± 826.8. Overall interobserver agreement for the identification of noncalcified lesions was substantial (κ = 0.69). Observer 1 and observer 2 identified 21 and 17 patients, respectively, with 38 and 35 lesions suggestive of noncalcified plaque. Coronary CT angiography confirmed noncalcified plaque in 33 of 38 (86.8%; observer 1) and 31 of 35 (88.6%; observer 2) lesions. Thus, the overall positive predictive value for correct identification of noncalcified plaque on calcium scoring studies was 0.88, although overall sensitivity was low at 0.39. Conclusions Noncalcified plaque can be visually detected on calcium scoring studies. Review of calcium scoring studies for features of noncalcified plaque may enhance the identification of patients with more active disease and higher cardiovascular risk.

In the last decades there has been an increasing interest in biomagnetism—a field of biophysics concerned with the magnetic properties of living organisms. Biomagnetism focuses on the measurement of magnetic properties of biological samples in the clinical environment. Progress in this field can provide new data for the understanding of the pathomechanism of atherosclerosis and support the diagnostic options for the evaluation and treatment of atherothrombotic complications. Lyophilized human blood samples from patients with atherosclerotic lesions (calcium scoring (CS) CS>0) and without atherosclerotic lesions (CS=0) were magnetically investigated. Magnetic measurements (performed in room and low temperature) indicated significant magnetic differences between these two groups of patients. Atherosclerotic blood samples are characterized by higher concentration of ferrimagnetic particles (magnetite and/or maghemite) and significant changes in the superparamagnetic behaviour. This research presents that magnetometry, in combination with medical research can lead to a better understanding of iron physiology in the atherosclerotic process.

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is widely available in the world and has the ability to provide high-definition, thin-section imaging of any body part. In particular, CT over the past decade has been shown in numerous publications to allow for quantitation of coronary calcification, a proven surrogate for coronary artery atheromatous plaque. Electron beam tomography (EBT) and multidetector CT (MDCT) have been studied for these purposes. However, there are methodological differences between types of CT scanners and precision of calcium scoring is a function of their individual technical capabilities and limitations. These technical aspects are detailed here. Although MDCT has shown considerable improvements in recent years, EBT remains the clinical reference standard for noninvasive definition of atherosclerotic plaque.

The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of calcium scoring (CS) and electron beam computed tomographic angiography (EBCTA) as a noninvasive tool in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD): 93 consecutive patients (aged 59 ± 9 years) with symptoms suspicious for CAD underwent CS. In 87 of these subjects, an additional EBCTA investigation was performed. Using receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, we determined a calcium score cut point providing an overall sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 72% in detecting patients with CAD. For clinical purposes the use of cut points is difficult. We therefore determined score ranges providing >80% specificity (high score range) and >85% sensitivity (low score range) and determined the scores between these ranges as equivocal borderline scores. Calculated on a per-segment basis in assessable proximal and midcoronary segments, the sensitivity for detecting coronary stenoses >50% was 78%, and the specificity was 93%. Thus, 32 of 44 patients with significant CAD and 24 of 49 patients without CAD were correctly classified. The combination of CS and EBCTA predicted CAD in 77% (72 of 93) of patients. No or low calcium scores provided high specificity for ruling out CAD. The addition of EBCTA in those patients improved sensitivity. In patients with high calcium scores, accuracy of EBCTA was not significantly different from CS alone (72% vs 83%), whereas in patients with borderline scores it was significantly superior (80% vs 58%, p

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a strong predictor of adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in the general population. Recent data confirm the prognostic utility of single photon emission computed tomographic imaging (SPECT) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) but whether performing CAC scoring as