Incidental coronary calcifications on routine chest CT: Clinical implications

Abstract Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a marker of atherosclerosis and an independent risk factor for cardiac-related mortality, with much of the 50% decline in mortality over the past 30 years being attributed to early detection of coronary disease and intervention of modifiable risk facto...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in cardiovascular medicine 2017-10, Vol.27 (7), p.475-480
Main Authors: Pakdaman, Michael N., MD, Rozanski, Alan, MD, Berman, Daniel S., MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arteriosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
CAC
Calcification (ectopic)
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular disease
Chest
Computed tomography
Coronary artery
Coronary artery calcification
Coronary artery disease
Coronary Artery Disease - diagnostic imaging
Coronary Artery Disease - therapy
Coronary Vessels - diagnostic imaging
Health risk assessment
Heart
Heart diseases
Humans
Incidental Findings
Mortality
Predictive Value of Tests
Prognosis
Radiography, Thoracic - methods
Risk factors
Tomography
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Vascular Calcification - diagnostic imaging
Vascular Calcification - therapy
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Summary:Abstract Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a marker of atherosclerosis and an independent risk factor for cardiac-related mortality, with much of the 50% decline in mortality over the past 30 years being attributed to early detection of coronary disease and intervention of modifiable risk factors. With over 10 million computed tomography (CT) examinations of the chest performed in the United States yearly, CAC can be identified in a very large number of patients. In this review, we discuss the clinical evidence underlying the relationship between radiologic identification of CAC, atherosclerosis, and cardiac outcomes and the implications of its assessment on standard chest CT. We conclude that reporting of incidental coronary calcification found on non-gated chest CT would have a great impact on both management and mortality and thus, in the appropriate setting, should be noted in the impression of the radiologic report when identified.
ISSN:1050-1738
1873-2615
DOI:10.1016/j.tcm.2017.04.004