title: [Calcium score quantification using new techniques and its prognostic role in various subgroups of patients].
abstract: Coronary artery disease is the first cause of mortality in industrialized countries notwithstanding the diagnostic and therapeutic progresses. Electron beam computed tomography and multislice computed tomography with calcium score software seem to have an important role in the early diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Coronary calcium is associated with a high probability of subclinical atherosclerosis. In particular the area of calcification has a positive correlation with the histologically analyzed area of the atheromatous burden plaque. The pathophysiological mechanism may be that the calcium adherent to the plaque makes unstable the plaque with possible rupture. Several studies have analyzed the predictive value of calcium score in various subgroups of patients (asymptomatic, with chest pain, with diabetes) and they have confirmed the presence of large calcific deposits in subjects with a high cardiovascular risk. The correlation of the other risk factors with calcium score is unclear and whether this is due to genetic predisposition requires further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Cardiologia, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ratti
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Grimaldi
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ligabue
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Favali
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bursi
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Modena
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium