Correlation of calcium measurement with low dose 64-slice CT and angiographic stenosis in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery calcium is a sensitive marker of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study was to determine the relationship between coronary calcium score (CCS) and angiographic stenosis on a patient-based or vessel-based analysis. 91 consecutive patients underwent both low dose 64-slice CT calcium scoring scan and conventional angiography of the heart. The total CCS of abnormal coronary angiogram (n=45) was 297.38+/-416.93, whereas that of normal coronary angiogram (n=46) was 5.37+/-9.35 (P<0.001). The CCS and degree of stenosis were moderately correlated on patient-based or vessel-based analysis (r=0.517, 0.521, respectively; both P<0.001). In conclusion, CCS could reflect the degree of vessel stenosis to some extent, but CCS of zero could not rule out CAD. Copyright 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.