Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score

Non-contrast cardiac CT to quantify calcium deposits in the coronary arteries, producing an Agatston score that stratifies cardiovascular risk. The scan is rapid (5–10 minutes), requires no contrast injection, and generates a numerical score that predicts 10-year risk of major adverse cardiac events. Used to guide preventive treatment decisions and refine risk estimates beyond standard cholesterol and blood pressure markers.

The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is one of the most robust independent predictors of future cardiovascular events available through non-invasive testing. Atherosclerotic plaques that obstruct coronary arteries contain calcified components, and their total calcium burden — measured by the Agatston scoring method on CT — correlates strongly with the risk of heart attack over the following 5–15 years. The examination uses a brief non-contrast cardiac CT acquisition synchronised to the electrocardiogram. Because no contrast is required and the scan involves only a few hundred milliseconds of imaging time, the procedure is rapid, well tolerated, and requires minimal preparation. Patients with known irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) should inform the clinic at the time of booking, as ECG synchronisation works best with regular heart rates. The resulting Agatston score is interpreted in the context of age and sex-matched percentiles. A score of 0 conveys a very low risk of cardiac events over the next decade. Scores above 100 indicate moderate risk, and scores above 400 indicate high risk with a recommendation for aggressive preventive medical treatment. In patients where it is unclear whether to start preventive medications such as statins, a CAC score of 0 can safely defer treatment, while an unexpectedly high score may prompt earlier intervention. ALTA Klinik Berlin provides the CAC score as a standalone service available to self-pay patients without referral. The report includes the numerical Agatston score, the age- and sex-matched percentile ranking, and a clinical interpretation with recommended next steps. The scan is billed according to the GOÄ and costs approximately €95 as an Osteo-CT (bone density) equivalent, or may be priced under the cardiac imaging schedule depending on the protocol used.