Coronary artery calcium testing: dos and don'ts.
Measurement of traditional risk factors remains the foundation of current clinical practice guidelines when screening for coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. However, many adults who experience CHD events are not identified as higher risk based on their traditional risk factors. Observational data show that the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score improves risk prediction, even after taking into account traditional risk factors. The authors have outlined several principles of CAC testing into a list of dos and don'ts to help maximize its potential benefit while minimizing potential harm.
Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 6080, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. tpolonsky@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
Tamar S
TS
Polonsky
Donald M
DM
Lloyd-Jones
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011364:Professional Practice; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000175:diagnosis*