Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

Hiu Ying Joanna Choi

HIU YING JOANNA CHOI, MD, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Am Fam Physician. 2022;106(1):93-94

Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.

Test	Indication	Population	Cost
Coronary artery calcium scoring	CHD and CVD risk stratification to determine need for statin and aspirin therapy for primary prevention	Adults with intermediate 10-year atherosclerotic CVD risk (5% to 20%)	$100¹¹

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk assessment can identify high-risk patients who are likely to benefit from pharmacologic therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Additionally, it can prevent overtreatment of low-risk patients. Clinical risk scores based on traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as the Pooled Cohort Equations, may overestimate or underestimate ASCVD risk.¹ Optimal management is often uncertain in those at intermediate risk (5% to 20%).^2,3

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