Key result
Coronary artery calcium scanning allows for early identification of atherosclerosis and improves predictive value for cardiovascular disease when combined with other risk factors.
Why the study?
Does coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning improve the prediction of presence, severity, and future events of cardiovascular disease in at-risk patients?
Does coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning improve the prediction of presence, severity, and future events of cardiovascular disease in at-risk patients?
Coronary artery calcium scoring is a valuable tool for early identification of atherosclerosis and risk stratification in patients at risk for coronary artery disease.
May aid risk stratification in at-risk patients; leaves open whether CAC scanning improves outcomes in prospective trials.
SUMMARY Similar to mammography in screening of breast cancer, coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning could be used for the screening of at-risk patients for coronary artery disease (CAD). Strong correlations between CAC score and CAD have been established. CAC allows for early identification of atherosclerosis to permit early targeting of lifestyle and pharmacologic intervention for heart disease. The predictive value of CAC score differs in population with different pretest probability for CAD. In addition, combination of CAC score with other risk factors may produce a model with higher predictive value for presence, severity and future events of cardiovascular disease. We reviewed all correlated published studies indexed in PubMed during the last 5 years to combine with older, generally accepted concepts to establish the most valid current role for CAC testing.
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Darabian et al. (2012) conducted a review in Coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning was evaluated. Coronary artery calcium scanning allows for early identification of atherosclerosis and improves predictive value for cardiovascular disease when combined with other risk factors.
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