title: [Clinical implication of coronary calcification].
abstract: Calcification is a common finding in human coronary arteries, which is generally associated with long-standing atherosclerosis. However, there is conflicting evidence for the link between calcification and plaque instability. Recent histopathological studies have revealed that plaque calcification is present in 69% of ruptured plaques in sudden coronary death. Furthermore, studies using electron-beam computed tomography have reported that calcium score relates to acute coronary events. Recently, we clarified that in patients with acute myocardial infarction small "spotty" calcifications prevailed, associated with a fibrofatty plaque and positive remodeling. Future studies would focus on the clinical implication of coronary calcification.
authors.affiliation: Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology.
authors.forename: Shoichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ehara
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshiyama
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional