Lesion Specific Calcium Score
Encyclopedia
The Lesion-Specific Calcium Score is a method of calcium measurement that results from a CT Test for Coronary Artery Calcification.
, which most often is equated with atherosclerotic
coronary artery disease, has been identified as the leading cause of death worldwide. The initial presentation of coronary artery disease in half of all patients presents in sudden cardiac death
outside of the hospital most often resulting in the patient’s death.
Early detection is critical in order to implement early lifestyle changes and early therapies to prevent major adverse coronary events. The most commonly used screening method for coronary disease is CT based coronary artery calcium quantification based on Agatston Method
, which was developed by Arthur Agatston
. The Agatston Score
development was based upon the quantification of total coronary artery calcium in the entire heart for purposes of early detection and risk assessment.
has been shown to be independent to traditional risk factors; however, the overall predictive accuracy is relatively modest as it does not take into consideration the spatial distribution and regional characteristics of individual calcified lesions. Furthermore, because it lacks spatial distribution information it cannot distinguish between plaque located in high risk areas versus low risk areas.
In 2008, Dr. Szilard Voros
and his team began their investigation of the relationship between coronary calcification in the presence of blockages in the heart. This investigation led to the concept of the Lesion-Specific Calcium Score. Voros, Dr. Zhen Qian and their team introduced this concept where each individual calcified lesion is characterized and precisely measured using parameters including but not limited to the width, length, density, and distance from the entrance of the major coronary arteries. Research has shown that the Lesion-Specific Calcium Scoring Method is superior to the traditional Agatston Score
for the prediction of significant blockages in the heart. The Lesion-Specific Calcium Score has been filed under US and international patent protection.
Background
Coronary diseaseCoronary disease
Coronary disease refers to the failure of coronary circulation to supply adequate circulation to cardiac muscle and surrounding tissue. It is already the most common form of disease affecting the heart and an important cause of premature death in Europe, the Baltic states, Russia, North and South...
, which most often is equated with atherosclerotic
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which an artery wall thickens as a result of the accumulation of fatty materials such as cholesterol...
coronary artery disease, has been identified as the leading cause of death worldwide. The initial presentation of coronary artery disease in half of all patients presents in sudden cardiac death
Sudden Cardiac Death
Sudden cardiac death is natural death from cardiac causes, heralded by abrupt loss of consciousness within one hour of the onset of acute symptoms. Other forms of sudden death may be noncardiac in origin...
outside of the hospital most often resulting in the patient’s death.
Early detection is critical in order to implement early lifestyle changes and early therapies to prevent major adverse coronary events. The most commonly used screening method for coronary disease is CT based coronary artery calcium quantification based on Agatston Method
Agatston Score
The Agatston Score, named after Arthur Agatston, is a measure of calcium generally included in the results from a CT Test for Coronary Calcification....
, which was developed by Arthur Agatston
Arthur Agatston
Arthur Agatston is an American cardiologist best known as the developer of the South Beach Diet, but also the author of many published scholarly papers in the field of noninvasive cardiac diagnostics...
. The Agatston Score
Agatston Score
The Agatston Score, named after Arthur Agatston, is a measure of calcium generally included in the results from a CT Test for Coronary Calcification....
development was based upon the quantification of total coronary artery calcium in the entire heart for purposes of early detection and risk assessment.
Lesion-Specific Calcium Score
The whole-heart Agatston ScoreAgatston Score
The Agatston Score, named after Arthur Agatston, is a measure of calcium generally included in the results from a CT Test for Coronary Calcification....
has been shown to be independent to traditional risk factors; however, the overall predictive accuracy is relatively modest as it does not take into consideration the spatial distribution and regional characteristics of individual calcified lesions. Furthermore, because it lacks spatial distribution information it cannot distinguish between plaque located in high risk areas versus low risk areas.
In 2008, Dr. Szilard Voros
Szilard Voros
Szilard Voros is a Hungarian-born American cardiologist and globally renowned leading research scientist in advanced cardiovascular imaging. He currently serves as the Chief Scientific Officer, Chief of Cardiovascular Prevention, and Medical Director of Cardiac MR and CT at Piedmont Hospital in...
and his team began their investigation of the relationship between coronary calcification in the presence of blockages in the heart. This investigation led to the concept of the Lesion-Specific Calcium Score. Voros, Dr. Zhen Qian and their team introduced this concept where each individual calcified lesion is characterized and precisely measured using parameters including but not limited to the width, length, density, and distance from the entrance of the major coronary arteries. Research has shown that the Lesion-Specific Calcium Scoring Method is superior to the traditional Agatston Score
Agatston Score
The Agatston Score, named after Arthur Agatston, is a measure of calcium generally included in the results from a CT Test for Coronary Calcification....
for the prediction of significant blockages in the heart. The Lesion-Specific Calcium Score has been filed under US and international patent protection.