Comparative analysis of calcification parameters with Agatston Score approximations for ex vivo atherosclerotic lesions

Rachel M. Cahalane, Stephen P. Broderick, Eamon G. Kavanagh, Michael A. Moloney, Rosaire Mongrain, Helen Purtill, Michael T. Walsh, Julie M. O'Brien

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The Agatston score is the gold standard of atherosclerotic calcium quantification. However, the Agatston score cannot identify vulnerable lesions. Recent investigations suggest that microcalcifications and a high number of ‘spotty’ calcified particles destabilise atherosclerotic plaques while high-density macrocalcifications protect against plaque rupture. However, it is not clear whether the Agatston score can distinguish between these atherosclerotic calcification phenotypes. Our results indicate that the Agatston score correlates extremely well with calcified volume fractions but not with calcified particle information. A novel calcium scoring methodology is required to identify high-risk plaques based on calcification phenotype.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)20-26
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2020

Keywords

  • Calcium score
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Computed tomography
  • Extra-coronary calcification
  • Hounsfield unit

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