Key result
A coronary artery calcium score threshold of ≥1400 for men and ≥1000 for women was predictive of obstructive coronary artery disease at 90% specificity, though sensitivity was low (26% and 27%, respectively).
Why the study?
Do sex-specific CAC score thresholds predict obstructive CAD in patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography?
Do sex-specific CAC score thresholds predict obstructive CAD in patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography?
While sex-specific CAC thresholds (≥1400 in men, ≥1000 in women) provide high specificity for predicting obstructive CAD, their low sensitivity limits their utility as a standalone screening tool.
Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a direct measure of subclinical calcified atherosclerotic plaque, and an established risk-enhancing factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk stratification beyond traditional risk factors.1 It has been estimated that ∼17.6 million Americans may be eligible for CAC screening.2 CAC score, which was first described in 1990 by Agatson et al,3 represents a quantification of calcium in the coronary arteries by evaluating the number, areas, and peak density of calcified lesions on computed tomography (CT).
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ahmad et al. (2025) conducted an editorial in Obstructive coronary artery disease (n=1,799). Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score was evaluated on Prediction of obstructive CAD at 90% specificity. A coronary artery calcium score threshold of ≥1400 for men and ≥1000 for women was predictive of obstructive coronary artery disease at 90% specificity, though sensitivity was low (26% and 27%, respectively).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: