Calcifications of the heart.

Cardiac calcification usually represents the result of a pathologic process. Some forms of calcification represent chronic change in an ageing population, and must be differentiated from pathologic calcification. Still other forms of calcification are associated with ageing and chronic degeneration, but also reflect ongoing pathologic processes. Recognition of cardiac calcification may be an early sign or only sign of a pathologic process. Characterization of the calcification in terms of its distribution and appearance is a helpful means for determining which structures are calcified, differentiating pathologic from nonpathologic processes. This article provides an overview of the types of calcifications of the heart, pathogenesis, and utility of the various imaging modalities for their detection.