Coronary Calcium Score

Short, non-contrast CT scan that precisely quantifies coronary artery calcium using the Agatston method. One of the strongest independent predictors of future cardiovascular events — performed on the Siemens SOMATOM Force.

The coronary calcium score at Private Access Linz is performed on the Siemens SOMATOM Force dual-source CT — a scanner that captures the entire coronary tree in a fraction of a second without any contrast dye or fasting requirement. Calcium deposits within the coronary artery walls are a direct marker of atherosclerotic plaque burden that has accumulated over years; the resulting Agatston score translates this burden into a validated, widely published cardiovascular risk metric. The acquisition is ECG-gated to coincide with the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, freezing cardiac motion during the brief scan. The SOMATOM Force's dual-source design and extremely short rotation time mean that even patients with elevated heart rates — who would cause motion blur on slower scanners — can be scanned at diagnostic quality without beta-blocker premedication in most cases. The SOMATOM Force's iterative dose-reduction algorithms keep the effective radiation dose for a calcium score well below 1 millisievert — comparable to a few days of natural background radiation. No intravenous access is required, making this one of the most patient-friendly cardiac examinations available. A score of zero indicates no detectable calcification and corresponds to a very low cardiovascular event risk over the next decade; large prospective studies have shown that statin therapy can be safely deferred in this group. Intermediate scores (1–399) indicate subclinical disease and may tip borderline cases toward pharmacological prevention. Scores above 400 indicate advanced atherosclerosis and typically prompt downstream coronary angiography — either by CT or invasive catheterisation — to assess for flow-limiting stenosis. At Private Access Linz the calcium score is offered as a standalone examination and as the first stage of a combined cardiac CT appointment progressing directly to CT coronary angiography.