CORONARY ARTERY CALCIUM DATA AND REPORTING SYSTEM: A REVIEW

Coronary artery disease develops mainly from atherosclerosis. Coronary artery calcium denotes the atherosclerotic coronary calcification burden. A uniform reporting system described as Coronary Artery Calcium Data and Reporting System (CAC-DRS) introduced recently in 2018 to predict coronary artery disease, especially in asymptomatic patient population. The CAC-DRS reporting guidelines have been recommended by the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography and Society of Thoracic Radiology. Coronary artery calcification is computed as a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. The Agatston score is computer generated, obtained by multiplication of the calcium plaque area by the calcium plaque density.

 A higher CAC score indicates high atherosclerotic burden and links to greater morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular events. CAC scoring by CT scan, currently is best used in the intermediate risk patient population.

Coronary calcium parallels the existence of atherosclerotic burden. A CAC score of zero has been noted to have a strong negative predictive value for coronary events. A higher CAC score indicates increased risk of cardiovascular events.