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Noncontrast Cardiac CT for the Detection of Calcified Atherosclerosis

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Atherosclerosis: Clinical Perspectives Through Imaging

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Abstract

Noncontrast CT scanning of the chest accurately detects coronary artery calcium using multidetector CT techniques at low radiation exposure. Coronary artery calcium, quantitated using the validated area-density scoring method, is related to cardiovascular risk factors, and should be considered relative to age, gender, and ethnicity. The presence of coronary artery calcium augments the risk assessment for incident coronary heart disease independent of cardiovascular risk factors. Smaller and more diffusely distributed calcium deposits are also associated with increased cardiovascular risk, independent of the calcium score. Serial calcium scanning offers a potential method to monitor atherosclerotic risk, but more data is needed on the impact of serial imaging on cardiovascular management and outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University/Hospital, Medstar Heart Institute, 110 Irving St, NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA

    Allen J. Taylor M.D., FACC, FAHA

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  1. Allen J. Taylor M.D., FACC, FAHA
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Correspondence to Allen J. Taylor M.D., FACC, FAHA .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Irving Street 110, Washington, 20010, District of Columbia, USA

    Allen J. Taylor

  2. Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Georgia Avenue, Washington, 20307, Washington, USA

    Todd C. Villines

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© 2013 Springer-Verlag London

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Taylor, A.J. (2013). Noncontrast Cardiac CT for the Detection of Calcified Atherosclerosis. In: Taylor, A., Villines, T. (eds) Atherosclerosis: Clinical Perspectives Through Imaging. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4288-1_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4288-1_8

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4287-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4288-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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