Calcium Scoring
Calcium scoring is a technique which measures the calcification in the coronary arteries, resulting in a score. Calcium plaques developing in the Coronary Arteries can result in narrowing or blockage of the arteries to the heart.
This technique has been around for many years, but has grown in popularity with the advent of faster, and more powerful scanners. As a rule, the faster the scanner, the more accurate is the calcium scoring.
There is a direct correlation between the extent of calcium in the coronary arteries and the risk of a future cardiac event. For example, a calcium score of more than 400 is considered severe and it would be necessary to take steps to prevent further advancement of atherosclerosis and plaque formation. The higher the calcium score, more likely is there a chance of severe stenosis as well.
A calcium score of 0 does not rule of soft plaques, but statistically rules out significant coronary artery disease. Though the calcium score does not show soft plaques (which however are best seen on a CT angiogram), the higher the calcium score, the more is it likely that there are soft plaques as well. Rupture of a soft plaque is the commonest cause of an acute coronary syndrome (i.e. a heart attack).
Calcium scoring is offered as a separate stand-alone test, and as an initial part of the entire cardiac CT examination. It is also used extensively in screening and preventative healthcare packages.
Examination
The procedure is non-invasive and pain free, and takes only 10 minutes to perform. No preparation is required and the patient can resume normal activities after the test.
Benefits
- Fast, painless and non-invasive evaluation of the extent of atheroma development in the coronary artery disease
- No preparation necessary
- The only investigation to detect the earliest development of atheroma even in asymptomatic patients
As compared to the conventional risk factors for the development of Coronary Heart Disease, CT Calcium Score is the strongest predictor of future symptomatic events
