RESUMO
The most important lesions in coronary artery disease [CAD] are coronary artery plaques, many of which are calcified. Multi-slice spiral CT [MSCT] scanners can concurrently perform coronary calcium scoring [Ca-Score] as a predictor of CAD and coronary CT-angiography [CCTA] as the determining factor in therapeutic decision-making. We aimed to determine the agreement of a Ca-Score more than 100 [based on Agatston technique] with coronary artery stenosis significance on CCTA. Using ECG-gated MSCT, 65 patients who were referred for CCTA were assessed both for their Ca-Score and a significant [>/= 50% diameter reduction] coronary stenosis, simultaneously. Their total Ca-Score were classified in three groups [a-O, b-less than 100, and c- >/= 100]. The severity of coronary stenosis was categorized to further three groups [1-lack of stenotic lesion, 2- presence of non-significant stenosis, and 3-presence of significant stenosis]. Of 65 patients referred for CCTA, 42 [64.61%] had no CAD, 8 [12.3%] had non-significant lesions' and 15 [23.09%] had significant stenoses. Forty-three [66.2%] out of 65 subjects had a zero. 14 [21.5%] had scores < 100, and 8 [12.3%] had >/= 100 Ca-Score. In the first group [Ca-score = 0], only one had significant stenosis; while 50% of the patients in the second group [Ca-score < 100] and 87.5% from the third group [Ca-score of >/= 100] had significant stenosis. Significant coronary stenosis has a moderate-to-good agreement with a Ca-Score of 100 or higher, compared to those with a Ca-Score of less than 100, and this was statistically significant [P < 0.0001]. In patients with a calcium score of 100 or more, performing CCTA may be advisable to assess the likelihood of significant CAD