Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging

Korean Society of Echocardiography (한국심초음파학회)
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Coronary Artery Calcium Data and Reporting System (CAC-DRS): A Primer

  • Parveen Kumar (Department of Radiodiagnosis & Imaging, Fortis Escort Heart Institute) ;
  • Mona Bhatia (Department of Radiodiagnosis & Imaging, Fortis Escort Heart Institute)
  • Received : 2022.03.05
  • Accepted : 2022.06.06
  • Published : 2023.01.27
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Abstract

The Coronary Artery Calcium Data and Reporting System (CAC-DRS) is a standardized reporting method for calcium scoring on computed tomography. CAC-DRS is applied on a per-patient basis and represents the total calcium score with the number of vessels involved. There are 4 risk categories ranging from CAC-DRS 0 to CAC-DRS 3. CAC-DRS also provides risk prediction and treatment recommendations for each category. The main strengths of CAC-DRS include a detailed and meaningful representation of CAC, improved communication between physicians, risk stratification, appropriate treatment recommendations, and uniform data collection, which provides a framework for education and research. The major limitations of CAC-DRS include a few missing components, an overly simple visual approach without any standard reference, and treatment recommendations lacking a basis in clinical trials. This consistent yet straightforward method has the potential to systemize CAC scoring in both gated and non-gated scans.

Keywords

References

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