Usefulness of aortic valve calcium scores by electron beam computed tomography as a marker for aortic stenosis

Shavelle, David M.; Budoff, Matthew J.; Buljubasic, Nediljka; Wu, Audrey H.; Takasu, Junichiro; Rosales, Joseph; Otto, Catherine M.; Zhao, Xue-Qiao; O’Brien, Kevin D.

doi:10.1016/S0002-9149(03)00646-5

« Previous Next »American Journal of Cardiology
Volume 92, Issue 3 , Pages 349-353, 1 August 2003

Usefulness of aortic valve calcium scores by electron beam computed tomography as a marker for aortic stenosis

David M. Shavelle, MD
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
Matthew J. Budoff, MD
- Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles Research and Education Institute, Torrance, California, USA
Nediljka Buljubasic, MD
- Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles Research and Education Institute, Torrance, California, USA
Audrey H. Wu, MD
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
Junichiro Takasu, MD
- Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles Research and Education Institute, Torrance, California, USA
Joseph Rosales, MD
- Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles Research and Education Institute, Torrance, California, USA
Catherine M. Otto, MD
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
Xue-Qiao Zhao, MD
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
Kevin D. O’Brien, MD
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles Research and Education Institute, Torrance, California, USA
- Dr. O’Brien’s address is: Division of Cardiology, Box 356422, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 North East Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington 98195-6422, USA.

Received 6 February 2003; received in revised form 25 April 2003; accepted 25 April 2003.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine whether aortic valve calcium (AVC) scores measured by electron beam tomography can identify patients with echocardiographically defined aortic stenosis. Electron beam tomography is increasingly being used to detect coronary artery calcium. AVC can also be measured on electron beam tomographic (EBT) scans obtained to screen for coronary calcium. Whether EBT AVC scores correlate with the presence of aortic stenosis, as assessed by echocardiography, is unknown. Results of this study suggest that AVC scores should be calculated routinely for coronary calcium screening EBT scans, and that patients with Agatston AVC scores above a certain level (e.g., >150) should be referred for echocardiography.