Coronary Calcium Score (CAC)

Non-contrast cardiac CT to quantify coronary artery calcification and assess cardiovascular risk. Performed on the Siemens Somatom Perspective 128-slice scanner. No contrast required. Published as part of the cardiac CT capability. Priced within the standard CT head/body range.

The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score at AGEL Rádiológia quantifies the burden of calcified atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries using a dedicated non-contrast cardiac CT protocol performed on the 128-slice Siemens Somatom Perspective. The Somatom Perspective supports ECG-gated cardiac acquisition — the synchronisation technique essential for eliminating the cardiac motion artefact that would otherwise blur the coronary vessels in standard CT — which enables accurate coronary calcium quantification using the Agatston scoring method. The Agatston score is the internationally standardised metric for coronary calcium assessment. A score of zero carries a very low predicted 10-year cardiovascular event risk and is one of the most powerful negative predictors of cardiac events available from any non-invasive test. At the other end of the spectrum, scores above 400 reflect extensive coronary calcification and substantially elevated cardiovascular risk requiring intensified medical management. Scores in the range 1–400 are stratified across published percentile tables by age and sex to assign an individual patient's risk level relative to their demographic peers. European Society of Cardiology guidelines support CAC scoring as an optional test to reclassify patients in intermediate cardiovascular risk categories where traditional risk scores (SCORE2, Framingham) leave clinical uncertainty, particularly around decisions about initiating statin therapy or aspirin for primary prevention. A zero score in a patient previously classified as intermediate risk can support deferral of pharmaceutical intervention with reassurance; a high score in the same patient strengthens the case for pharmacological risk reduction. The examination requires no intravenous contrast, no oral preparation, and typically takes 10–15 minutes from arrival to leaving. ECG electrodes are attached for gating, and the scan itself lasts a few seconds. AGEL Rádiológia's team of ten radiologists includes specialists experienced in cardiac imaging interpretation. The written report provides the total Agatston score, per-vessel breakdown (left main, left anterior descending, left circumflex, right coronary artery), and a clinical risk interpretation. Booking by phone or email; results with CD images available within approximately seven working days.