Cardiac Calcification Scoring

Cardiac Calcification Scoring - Why?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in Germany. Coronary artery disease may lead to a heart attack (myocardial infarct) without previous symptomps or warnings..
 

The American Heart Association has identified the following risk factors:

  • Men over age 45
  • Women over age 55
  • Low HDL cholesterol
  • Elevated LDL cholesterol
  • Family history of coronary artery disease
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Sedentary life style
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes

If you are a male over 45 or a female over 55 and have one or more of these risk factors, Cardiac Calcification Scoring could be live-saving for you, because the exam might detect potentially dangerous calcified atherosclerotic plaque even before there are symptoms. Early detection of calcified atherosclerotic plaque can prompt preventive action to minimize risk of heart attack or direct you to seek medical evaluation for further testing. Coronary atherosclerosis can be slowed, stopped, and possibly reversed before artery blockage results in heart muscle damage or death.

Cardiac Calcification Scoring - How it Works

Ultrafast multislice spiral computer tomography facilitates imaging of the heart in motion. The scan detects and quantifies calcified atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries. A score is computed based on the amount of calcification detected. This score is an accurate predictor of the degree of narrowing of the coronary arteries and the likelihood of a future coronary event, e.g. heart attack (see table below).
No special preparation is needed: the exam does not require invasive procedures such as contrast agent application, and it only takes little time. In comparison to a standard CT scan the dose of radiation is considerably reduced.

Clinical Value of Cardiac Calcification Scoring

Calcium Score Plaque Burden Probability of Significant Coronary Artery Disease Resulting Implication For Further Heart Disease
0 No identifiable plaque Very low, generally <5% Very low
1-10 Minimal identifiable plaque Burden very unlikely, <10% Low
11-100 Definite, at least mild atherosclerotic plaque burden (coronary artery disease CAD) Mild or minimal coronary stenoses likely (vessel narrowing due to plaque) Moderate
101-400 Definite, at least moderate atherosclerotic plaque burden (CAD) Nonobstructive CAD highly likely, although obstructive disease possible Moderately High
>400 Extensive atherosclerotic plaque burden (CAD) High likelihood (>90%) of at least one significant coronary stenosis (vessel narrowing) High

Typical Finding

Score
Typical exam, showing atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries of a patient without symptoms.
The score in the LAD (left coronary artery) is markedly elevated.

Please refer to your personal physician/cardiologist for further follow-up.

Additional Informations

This screening exam is not covered by normal healthcare insurances. Charges are due at the time of service.

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