Calcified and soft plaque in coronary arteries curved reformations

Calcium Scoring

Calcium scoring can be used to evaluate different causes of chest pain and to assess your risk for developing coronary artery disease (CAD). The resulting information (score) is used by your physician to determine if you need further testing or treatment.

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 (hardening of the arteries) and plaque formation. The higher the calcium score, the greater the likelihood of stenosis (blockage) exists as well.

A calcium score of zero does not rule out having soft plaque, but statistically rules out having significant coronary artery disease. Though the calcium score does not show soft plaque (which however are best seen on a CT angiogram), the higher the calcium score, the more likely soft plaque exist.

Compared to a hospital-based, invasive angiogram, which only shows luminal diameter (the inner open space or cavity of a blood vessel), the CTA is a much more sophisticated procedure for discerning patients who want a complete, definitive assessment of their cardiovascular health to discuss with their physician.