Coronary heart disease risk in patients without angina pectoris. Coronary calcinosis as a prognostic factor for myocardial infarct?
Schmermund, A.; Baumgart, D.; Erbel, R.
MMW Fortschritte der Medizin 143(16): 27-29
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 1438-3276 PMID: 11367988 Document Number: 539283
Coronary deposits of calcium arise on the basis of atherosclerotic plaques. Comparative clinical studies show that the extent of coronary calcification reflects the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. There is a close correlation between number of angiographically identified stenotic coronary segments and the extent of calcium deposits as determined by electron beam tomography (EBT). This enables a direct and quantitative, non-invasive visualization of coronary atherosclerosis. Currently, prospective results for non-selected persons are not available. However, results so far suggest that the determination of coronary calcium deposits opens up new possibilities for assessing prognosis. Age- and sex-related comparisons in a number of studies involving persons with marked calcium deposits have pointed to an increased risk of cardiac death or infarction in this population.