title: A method for calcium quantification by means of CT coronary angiography using 64-multidetector CT: very high correlation with Agatston and volume scores.
abstract: To find out whether calcium scoring of the coronary arteries (CAC scoring) could be carried out with a CT angiography of the coronary arteries (CTCA) in a single CT data acquisition. The Agatston and V130 scores for 113 patients were assessed. A calcium volume score (V600 score) was compiled from the CTCA data sets. Intra- and interobserver correlations were excellent (rho > 0.97). The intra- and interobserver repeatability coefficients were extremely low, increasing in magnitude from the V600 score to the V130 and Agatston scores. The V600 score underestimates the coronary calcium burden. However, it has a linear relation to the Agatston and V130 scores. Thus, they are predictable from the values of the V600 score. The V600 score shows a linear relation to the classic CAC scores. Due to its extremely high reliability, the score may be a feasible alternative for classic CAC scoring methods in order to reduce radiation dosages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. bernhard.glodny@i-med.ac.at
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Glodny
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Helmel
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Trieb
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schenk
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Taferner
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Unterholzner
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Strasak
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Petersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*