Small lesions in the heart identified at electron beam CT: Calcification or noise?

Lawrence F. Bielak; Rachel B. Kaufmann; Patricia P. Moll; Cynthia H. McCollough; Robert S. Schwartz; Patrick F. Sheedy

doi:10.1148/radiology.192.3.8058926

Small lesions in the heart identified at electron beam CT: Calcification or noise?

Lawrence F. Bielak, Rachel B. Kaufmann, Patricia P. Moll, Cynthia H. McCollough, Robert S. Schwartz, Patrick F. Sheedy

Radiation Physicists

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

155 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To identify a minimum definition of coronary artery calcification (CAC) at electron beam computed tomography (CT) that would give repeatable results and be accurate as a marker for coronary artery disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hyperattenuating (>130 HU) foci 0.69-3.09 mm² in area were evaluated for 256 subjects who underwent two sequential electron beam CT examinations to determine the percentage of hyperattenuating foci seen on a first examination that were seen again on a second examination. Accuracies of varying minimum definitions of CAC were determined in 160 subjects who underwent electron beam CT and coronary arteriography. RESULTS: Hyperattenuating foci more than 2 mm² in area were seen again at a second examination in more than 50% of cases (P < .0001). At this minimum definition of CAC, the sensitivity and specificity for identifying any angiographically defined coronary artery disease were 82% and 85%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 2-mm²-area definition of CAC was reliable and provided an accurate indication of coronary artery disease.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	631-636
Number of pages	6
Journal	Radiology
Volume	192
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.192.3.8058926
State	Published - Sep 1994

Keywords

Coronary vessels, CT
Coronary vessels, calcification
Coronary vessels, stenosis or obstruction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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10.1148/radiology.192.3.8058926

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title = "Small lesions in the heart identified at electron beam CT: Calcification or noise?",

abstract = "PURPOSE: To identify a minimum definition of coronary artery calcification (CAC) at electron beam computed tomography (CT) that would give repeatable results and be accurate as a marker for coronary artery disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hyperattenuating (>130 HU) foci 0.69-3.09 mm2 in area were evaluated for 256 subjects who underwent two sequential electron beam CT examinations to determine the percentage of hyperattenuating foci seen on a first examination that were seen again on a second examination. Accuracies of varying minimum definitions of CAC were determined in 160 subjects who underwent electron beam CT and coronary arteriography. RESULTS: Hyperattenuating foci more than 2 mm2 in area were seen again at a second examination in more than 50% of cases (P < .0001). At this minimum definition of CAC, the sensitivity and specificity for identifying any angiographically defined coronary artery disease were 82% and 85%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 2-mm2-area definition of CAC was reliable and provided an accurate indication of coronary artery disease.",

keywords = "Coronary vessels, CT, Coronary vessels, calcification, Coronary vessels, stenosis or obstruction",

author = "Bielak, {Lawrence F.} and Kaufmann, {Rachel B.} and Moll, {Patricia P.} and McCollough, {Cynthia H.} and Schwartz, {Robert S.} and Sheedy, {Patrick F.}",

year = "1994",

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doi = "10.1148/radiology.192.3.8058926",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "192",

pages = "631--636",

journal = "Radiology",

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T1 - Small lesions in the heart identified at electron beam CT

T2 - Calcification or noise?

AU - Bielak, Lawrence F.

AU - Kaufmann, Rachel B.

AU - Moll, Patricia P.

AU - McCollough, Cynthia H.

AU - Schwartz, Robert S.

AU - Sheedy, Patrick F.

PY - 1994/9

Y1 - 1994/9

N2 - PURPOSE: To identify a minimum definition of coronary artery calcification (CAC) at electron beam computed tomography (CT) that would give repeatable results and be accurate as a marker for coronary artery disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hyperattenuating (>130 HU) foci 0.69-3.09 mm2 in area were evaluated for 256 subjects who underwent two sequential electron beam CT examinations to determine the percentage of hyperattenuating foci seen on a first examination that were seen again on a second examination. Accuracies of varying minimum definitions of CAC were determined in 160 subjects who underwent electron beam CT and coronary arteriography. RESULTS: Hyperattenuating foci more than 2 mm2 in area were seen again at a second examination in more than 50% of cases (P < .0001). At this minimum definition of CAC, the sensitivity and specificity for identifying any angiographically defined coronary artery disease were 82% and 85%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 2-mm2-area definition of CAC was reliable and provided an accurate indication of coronary artery disease.

AB - PURPOSE: To identify a minimum definition of coronary artery calcification (CAC) at electron beam computed tomography (CT) that would give repeatable results and be accurate as a marker for coronary artery disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hyperattenuating (>130 HU) foci 0.69-3.09 mm2 in area were evaluated for 256 subjects who underwent two sequential electron beam CT examinations to determine the percentage of hyperattenuating foci seen on a first examination that were seen again on a second examination. Accuracies of varying minimum definitions of CAC were determined in 160 subjects who underwent electron beam CT and coronary arteriography. RESULTS: Hyperattenuating foci more than 2 mm2 in area were seen again at a second examination in more than 50% of cases (P < .0001). At this minimum definition of CAC, the sensitivity and specificity for identifying any angiographically defined coronary artery disease were 82% and 85%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 2-mm2-area definition of CAC was reliable and provided an accurate indication of coronary artery disease.

KW - Coronary vessels, CT

KW - Coronary vessels, calcification

KW - Coronary vessels, stenosis or obstruction

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Small lesions in the heart identified at electron beam CT: Calcification or noise?

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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