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

Rachel M. Cahalane; Stephen P. Broderick; Eamon G. Kavanagh; Michael A. Moloney; Rosaire Mongrain; Helen Purtill; Michael T. Walsh; Julie M. O'Brien

doi:10.1016/j.jcct.2019.07.003

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

Rachel M. Cahalane
, Stephen P. Broderick
, Eamon G. Kavanagh
, Michael A. Moloney
, Rosaire Mongrain
, Helen Purtill
, Michael T. Walsh
, Julie M. O'Brien

University of Limerick
Limerick Regional General Hospital
McGill University

Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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 Agatston 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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	20-26
Number of pages	7
Journal	Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
Volume	14
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcct.2019.07.003
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2020
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Calcium score
Cardiovascular disease
Computed tomography
Extra-coronary calcification
Hounsfield unit

Access to Document

10.1016/j.jcct.2019.07.003

Cite this

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title = "Comparative analysis of calcification parameters with Agatston Score approximations for ex vivo atherosclerotic lesions",

abstract = "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 {\textquoteleft}spotty{\textquoteright} 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 Agatston 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.",

keywords = "Calcium score, Cardiovascular disease, Computed tomography, Extra-coronary calcification, Hounsfield unit",

author = "Cahalane, \{Rachel M.\} and Broderick, \{Stephen P.\} and Kavanagh, \{Eamon G.\} and Moloney, \{Michael A.\} and Rosaire Mongrain and Helen Purtill and Walsh, \{Michael T.\} and O'Brien, \{Julie M.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography",

year = "2020",

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doi = "10.1016/j.jcct.2019.07.003",

language = "English",

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T1 - Comparative analysis of calcification parameters with Agatston Score approximations for ex vivo atherosclerotic lesions

AU - Cahalane, Rachel M.

AU - Broderick, Stephen P.

AU - Kavanagh, Eamon G.

AU - Moloney, Michael A.

AU - Mongrain, Rosaire

AU - Purtill, Helen

AU - Walsh, Michael T.

AU - O'Brien, Julie M.

PY - 2020/1/1

Y1 - 2020/1/1

N2 - 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 Agatston 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.

AB - 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 Agatston 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.

KW - Calcium score

KW - Cardiovascular disease

KW - Computed tomography

KW - Extra-coronary calcification

KW - Hounsfield unit

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DO - 10.1016/j.jcct.2019.07.003

M3 - Article

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AN - SCOPUS:85068563792

SN - 1934-5925

VL - 14

SP - 20

EP - 26

JO - Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

JF - Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

IS - 1

ER -

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

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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