We compared the diagnostic performance of aortic calcification volume with that of coronary artery calcification volume at CT in diagnosing obstructive coronary artery disease (OCAD).

A total of 308 patients (M: F=141:167) underwent coronary CT angiography using a 64-slice MDCT. We measured the calcification volume (mm³) of coronary artery (CAC), thoracic aorta (TAC), abdominal aorta (AAC), and whole aorta (AC) at unenhanced CT. OCAD was defined as the significant stenosis (≥50%) in any coronary artery at CT angiography. The diagnostic performance for OCAD was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Among the 308 patients studied, 45 patients were diagnosed with OCAD. The mean volumes of TAC, AAC, AC, and CAC were 518.8 mm³, 551.5 mm³, 1069.9 mm³, 57.6 mm³, respectively. The areas under the ROC curve of TAC, AAC, AC, and CAC for OCAD were 0.766 (0.694<95% confidence interval <0.838), 0.837 (0.784<95% confidence interval <0.892), 0.814 (0.755<95% confidence interval <0.873), 0.871 (0.812<95% confidence interval<0.930), respectively.

The volume of aortic calcification as well as coronary artery calcification is associated with obstructive coronary artery disease.