The diagnostic and prognostic significance of coronary artery calcification. A report of 800 cases.

The significance of coronary artery calcification was assessed in 800 patients who underwent cardiac fluoroscopy and selective coronary cineangiography. Calcification was shown by fluoroscopy in 250, of whom 236 (94%) had greater than or equal to 75% stenosis of one or more major coronary arteries at angiography. Among patients with significant coronary artery disease, 40% (236/585) had calcification. Patients with calcification demonstrated poorer survival at all follow-up intervals (from six months to five years); the five-year survival rate was 87% for patients without calcification, compared to 58% for those with calcification. The prognostic significance of coronary artery calcification appears to be independent of information obtained by cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography.