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CT Coronary Calcium Scoring

Cardiovascular risk assessment by quantifying calcified plaque burden in coronary arteries.

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Last updated:

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Radyoloji department. Book Appointment →

What is CT Coronary Calcium Scoring?

Coronary calcium scoring is the quantitative measurement of calcified atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries as the Agatston score using ECG-gated non-contrast low-dose cardiac CT.

Agatston score: 0 = no calcified plaque, 1-100 = mild, 101-400 = moderate, >400 = advanced atherosclerosis. The score is compared with age- and sex-specific percentile values. The 10-year major cardiovascular event risk is very low in individuals with a score of 0.

According to ACC/AHA guidelines, coronary calcium score is recommended to guide treatment decisions in individuals in the intermediate risk group (10-year ASCVD risk of 7.5-20%).

Symptoms

Statin decision in intermediate cardiovascular risk group
Family history (early coronary artery disease)
Subclinical atherosclerosis screening
Atypical chest pain evaluation
Motivational tool (lifestyle modification)

Risk Factors

Low dose radiation exposure (1-3 mSv)
False negativity (non-calcified plaque cannot be detected)
False reassurance in young individuals (plaque can exist without calcification)
Limited utility in patients with stent or bypass history

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • When consulting a cardiologist for cardiovascular risk assessment
  • When there is uncertainty in statin treatment decision
  • When there is family history of early coronary artery disease
  • In those with risk factors aged 40-70

Treatment Methods

01
ECG-gated non-contrast cardiac CT (prospective gating)
02
Automatic or semi-automatic calcium score calculation
03
Reporting of Agatston score and age/sex percentile
04
Integrated assessment with clinical risk scores
05
Primary prevention strategy planning according to score

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Radyoloji department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

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Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.