Coronary Calcium Score

Non-contrast ECG-gated CT of the heart measuring calcium deposits in the coronary arteries to produce an Agatston score. A fast, radiation-efficient screening test for subclinical atherosclerosis and future cardiac event risk. Covered by Austrian insurance with referral; available privately at Radiologicum Margareten with short wait times.

The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is a non-invasive CT-based measurement of calcified plaque burden in the coronary arteries, quantified as an Agatston score. It is one of the most evidence-supported tools for cardiovascular risk stratification in asymptomatic adults, adding predictive value beyond conventional risk factors such as age, cholesterol, blood pressure, and smoking history. At Radiologicum Margareten, calcium scoring is performed as part of the practice's cardiovascular imaging programme led by Priv.-Doz. Dr. Markus Reiter. The scan uses prospective ECG gating to acquire images only during the quiet diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, minimising motion artefact and keeping radiation dose very low — typically below 1 mSv, comparable to a few months of background radiation. No intravenous contrast agent is used, no fasting is required, and scanner time is under 10 minutes. The resulting Agatston score reflects the total calcified plaque burden across the left main, left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary arteries. A score of zero indicates no detectable calcification and is associated with a very low short-to-medium-term cardiovascular event risk — over 95% negative predictive value for events in the following 5 to 10 years in most published series. A score between 1 and 100 indicates mild calcification; 100–400 moderate burden; above 400 extensive disease with substantially elevated event risk. Age- and sex-adjusted percentile rankings place an individual result in context relative to their peer population. The clinical utility of the CAC score lies particularly in intermediate-risk individuals — those where standard risk calculators leave genuine uncertainty about whether preventive treatment such as statins or aspirin is warranted. A zero score in this group can support a decision to defer pharmaceutical therapy; a high score prompts more aggressive risk factor management and may indicate the need for further investigation with coronary CT angiography. European Society of Cardiology guidelines include CAC scoring as an optional risk modifier for primary prevention decisions. Austrian insurance funds (Kassen) cover the examination for patients with an appropriate GP or specialist referral. Radiologicum also accepts self-referred private patients. Online booking is available at any time through the practice website; the typical wait at Margareten is around two business days. Results are accessed via the digital patient portal, with a written report from a board-certified radiologist. The practice is located within the Franziskus Spital complex on Nikolsdorfergasse in Vienna's 5th district, easily reached by multiple tram, bus, and suburban rail connections.