Coronary calcium scan acquisition before coronary CT angiography: limited benefit or useful addition?

Felipe S Torres, Vikram Venkatesh, Elsie T Nguyen, Laura Jimenez-Juan, Andrew M Crean

Journal: AJR. American journal of roentgenology 2013;200(1):66-73

PMID: 23255743

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

This article reviews the role of coronary calcium quantification in symptomatic patients and the pros and cons of acquiring an unenhanced coronary calcium scan in every patient with suspected coronary artery disease referred for coronary CT angiography.

CONCLUSION

The acquisition of a coronary calcium scan in every symptomatic patient referred for coronary CT angiography requires a case-by-case approach.

Address: Postgraduate Studies Program in Cardiology, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos 2400, 2nd Fl, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. [email protected]

DOI: 10.2214/AJR.12.8643