Coronary Calcium Score

Non-contrast coronary calcium CT using RZM's 64-line Siemens scanner to quantify arterial calcification. The Agatston score produced is an independent cardiovascular risk marker used to guide preventive treatment decisions. No contrast injection required. Led by PD Dr. Theisen and PD Dr. Geyer.

RZM's coronary calcium scoring service uses the Siemens Somatom Definition AS64, its 64-line multispiral scanner, to perform a rapid non-contrast CT of the coronary arteries. The examination captures the distribution and density of calcified plaques within the arterial walls. These data are processed using the Agatston algorithm to produce a numerical calcium score: a well-validated, independent predictor of future myocardial infarction and cardiac death that adds risk discrimination beyond traditional clinical risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and family history. A calcium score of zero reliably identifies individuals with very low short-term cardiovascular risk, even in the presence of other risk factors, and supports conservative management decisions. Progressive score increases — typically categorised as minimal (1–10), mild (11–100), moderate (101–400), or severe (>400) — correspond to progressively higher event rates and inform decisions about initiating or intensifying statin therapy, aspirin, and lifestyle interventions. Large epidemiological studies including the MESA cohort have demonstrated that calcium scoring reclassifies a significant proportion of intermediate-risk patients into either low-risk (sparing unnecessary treatment) or high-risk (prompting more aggressive prevention) categories. The examination requires no intravenous contrast, no special preparation beyond avoiding caffeine and nicotine for a few hours before the scan, and exposes the patient to a low radiation dose — comparable to a few days of background radiation. Scan time is under 10 seconds of breath-hold. The cardiovascular imaging team at RZM is led by PD Dr. med. Daniel Theisen and PD Dr. med. Lucas Geyer, supported by Prof. Dr. med. Jürgen Scheidler. Results are discussed on the day and transmitted in writing to the referring physician.