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. 1994 Sep;192(3):631-6.
doi: 10.1148/radiology.192.3.8058926.

Small lesions in the heart identified at electron beam CT: calcification or noise?

L F Bielak  1 , R B Kaufmann, P P Moll, C H McCollough, R S Schwartz, P F Sheedy 2nd
Affiliations

Small lesions in the heart identified at electron beam CT: calcification or noise?

L F Bielak et al. Radiology. 1994 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: To identify a minimum definition of coronary artery calcification (CAC) at electron beam computed tomography (CT) that would give repeatable results and be accurate as a marker for coronary artery disease.

Materials and methods: Hyperattenuating (> 130 HU) foci 0.69-3.09 mm2 in area were evaluated for 256 subjects who underwent two sequential electron beam CT examinations to determine the percentage of hyperattenuating foci seen on a first examination that were seen again on a second examination. Accuracies of varying minimum definitions of CAC were determined in 160 subjects who underwent electron beam CT and coronary arteriography.

Results: Hyperattenuating foci more than 2 mm2 in area were seen again at a second examination in more than 50% of cases (P < .0001). At this minimum definition of CAC, the sensitivity and specificity for identifying any angiographically defined coronary artery disease were 82% and 85%, respectively.

Conclusion: The 2-mm2-area definition of CAC was reliable and provided an accurate indication of coronary artery disease.

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Comment in

  • Coronary artery calcification.
    Doherty TM, Detrano RC. Doherty TM, et al. Radiology. 1995 May;195(2):576-7. doi: 10.1148/radiology.195.2.7598765. Radiology. 1995. PMID: 7598765 No abstract available.

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