Chapter 2.1 Coronary artery calcium imaging
Martin J. Willemink
Teaching points
Acquisition protocol
Patient preparation
• Patients do not need to fast before the exam.
• Patients should be able to lie still and hold their breath for 3–5 seconds.
Image acquisition
• Recommended tube potential is 120 kVp, while tube current can be adjusted based on patient size.
• The effective radiation dose should be approximately 1 mSv, or lower.
• Reconstructed slice thickness should be 2.5 or 3.0 mm, depending on the CT manufacturer.
See also Chapter 1.5.
Calcium quantification
Agatston score
• The Agatston score is the most validated quantification method for coronary calcium.
• The total Agatston score is calculated by taking the weighted sum of each calcification.
• A basic interpretation of the absolute Agatston score with regard to coronary plaque burden:
Volume and mass scores
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