Calcium Scoring and Interpretation in Cardiac CT

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is measured using non-contrast cardiac computed tomography. CAC scoring is simple to perform, low cost, and the associated radiation dose is generally low. Higher CAC scores are associated with an increasing risk of cardiovascular disease, while the absence of CAC (CAC = 0) is associated with a low 10-year risk for cardiovascular disease. CAC scores should be interpreted using the absolute value and the age, sex, race/ethnicity percentile value. CAC scoring significantly improves cardiovascular disease risk stratification beyond traditional risk factors, novel risk factors, and the Pooled Cohort Equations and can help to identify persons who may benefit from primary prevention therapies.