Coronary CT Angiogram was predominantly utilized to detect coronary diameter stenosis for several years. However, with recent advances in techniques to detect atherosclerosis, coronary CT angiograms have been increasingly used to measure plaque burden and further explore plaque characteristics. High-risk plaques, total plaque volume, low-density non-calcified plaques, and calcified plaques are some of the types of plaque characteristics that is now possible to be detected with the help of coronary CT Angiogram. There are numerous clinical trials that have utilized coronary CT angiography to demonstrate the potential benefits of Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa), statins, apixaban, rivaroxaban, aged garlic extract, biologic agents, and omega-3 fatty acids in reducing coronary plaque progression. In addition to the coronary CT Angiogram, a non-contrast cardiac CT scans (calcium scan) can quantify coronary artery calcification (CAC). These calcifications (CAC) are excellent predictors of future cardiac events, and therefore, also provide an opportunity to start preventive therapy like statins and aspirin. In this presentation, I will be discussing the roles of coronary artery calcium scan and coronary CT Angiogram in preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Suraj is a current cardiovascular disease fellow in the T32 research pathway at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, USA. He did his residency in Internal Medicine in New York City from 2013-2016. He worked for 3 years as an academic physician in internal medicine department at the University of Buffalo, New York from 2016-2019. He then moved to Los Angeles where he did a 2-year research fellowship in coronary CT angiogram, coronary artery calcium score, and preventive cardiology at Harbor-UCLA medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Currently, Suraj is focusing his research in detecting atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in women with breast cancer.
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