Distribution of Coronary Plaque

[blueduck11]

My husband is a healthy,58 year old former smoker (quit 25 years ago who exercises regularly and takes no prescription medication.  There is a family history of heart disease (father and brother).  Recently jr took advantage of a local hospital’s program for a self-referred heart CT scan to help detect early heart disease.  His overall calcium score from this test was 169 which I understand puts him in the category of at least moderate atherosclerotic plaque.  My question is about the significance of the distribution of this plaque.  The breakdown of his score goes:  Left Main 0, Right 168, Left Anterior Descending 0, Circumflex 1, and Posterior Descending 0.  Is it important that the calcium is nearly all in the Right Coronary Artery?  Thank you for this wonderful Forum.

[kenkeith]

I recently had a ct scan 64 slice.  We knew I had CAD (totally blocked LAD, 72% circumflex.  But cardiac CT screening study that may be recommended by a physician for patients with risk factors for CAD but no clinical symptoms. As you may know the test score evaluates the soft plaque within anatomy of the vessel that could rupture into lumen and form a deadly clot.

Your question relates to calcium score. A negative cardiac CT scan shows no calcification within the coronary arteries. This suggests that CAD is minimal and that the chance of having a heart attack over the next two to five years is very low.

A positive test means that CAD is present, regardless of whether or not the patient is experiencing any symptoms. The amount of calcification—expressed as the calcium score—may help to predict the likelihood of a myocardial infarction (heart attack) in the coming years.

Calcium Score  Presence of CAD
0 No evidence of CAD  
1-10 Minimal evidence of CAD
11-100 Mild evidence of CAD
101-400 Moderate evidence of CAD
Over 400 Extensive evidence of CAD

Your husband"s RCA shows moderate evidence of CAD.  That is a good score and wonder how many indivduals over age 40 can be that good.

My calcium score is RCA 872.2, Left Main 79.0, Lad 215.3, Circumflex 40.6 and Total 1207.1.  I have probably had a high score for many years

[Encephalomalcia]

I am not a doctor, but I would think having it in one artery would be better than having it in all.  If he does have problems with the right artery, a stent could be put in.  It is good to find this out, so that he can make some changes in eating habits and possibly take some cholesterol medication.  Lipitor studies have shown that Lipitor can reduce cholesterol already in the arteries.