Visualization and quantification of coronary calcifications with electron beam and spiral computed tomography

Eur Radiol. 2000;10(4):629-35. doi: 10.1007/s003300050975.

Abstract

This contribution reviews the pathology and morphology of coronary calcifications. It summarizes the indications for investigation of the coronary arteries. The standard protocols for scan acquisition using electron beam and conventional computed tomography are described as well as various methods for evaluation such as the traditional Agatston scoring method and the newer three-dimensional scoring algorithms. Guidelines for interpreting scores are also reviewed. Major limitations of the reproducibility of the calcium score measurement are summarized. Future aspects of multirow-detector spiral computed tomography with retrospective electrocardiographic triggering for quantifying coronary calcium are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Calcinosis / epidemiology
  • Calcinosis / pathology
  • Coronary Artery Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / epidemiology
  • Coronary Artery Disease / pathology
  • Coronary Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Disease / epidemiology
  • Coronary Disease / pathology
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed* / methods