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

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 Agatst on 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.

Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography - July 8, 2019 Category: Radiology Authors: Rachel M. Cahalane, Stephen P. Broderick, Eamon G. Kavanagh, Michael A. Moloney, Rosaire Mongrain, Helen Purtill, Michael T. Walsh, Julie M. O'Brien Tags: Research paper Source Type: research