Abdominal Aortic Calcium and CAD-RADS 2.0

Background: Abdominal aortic calcium (AAC) is a marker of systemic atherosclerosis and may predict cardiovascular outcomes similarly to coronary artery calcium (CAC). This study evaluates the predictive efficacy of CT-based AAC scores for coronary plaque burden and stenosis using the CAD-RADS 2.0 classification system. Methods: A prospective cohort of 68 patients (mean age 67.5 years) with chest pain underwent cardiac CT for CAC, AAC scoring, and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (June 2021-May 2023). AAC scores were quantified using the Agatston method across 8 cm and 5 cm aortic segments, and outcomes were analyzed based on CAD-RADS 2.0 and plaque burden classifications.