Multi Slice CT Cardiac Imaging

Calcium scoring is a technique where the extent of calcification in the coronary arteries is measured and scored.

There is a direct correlation between the extent of calcium in the coronary arteries and the risk of a future cardiac event. For example, a calcium score of more than 400 is considered severe and it would be necessary to take steps to prevent further advancement of atherosclerosis and plaque formation. The higher the calcium score, the more it is likely that there are soft plaques as well.

A calcium score of 0 does not rule out soft plaques, but statistically rules out significant coronary artery disease. Though the calcium score does not show soft plaques (which are best seen on a CT angiogram), the higher the calcium score, the more likely it is that there are soft plaques as well. Rupture of a soft plaque is the most common cause of an acute coronary syndrome (i.e. a heart attack).