Technique and diagnostic importance of the detection of calcium deposits in the coronary arteries

The authors propose a simple and effective technique for the roentgenologic determination of the calcification of the coronary arteries. This type of study can be performed with the help of any radiodiagnostic unit fitted out with an electronic optical amplifier. This technique is proposed as part of a routine diagnostic procedure during examination of patients with heart diseases. The presence of calcium deposits indicates advanced atherosclerosis accompanied by considerable narrowing of the lumina of the coronary arteries. The narrowing of the lumen corresponds to the location of calcium deposits that was established during the parallel contrast examination of the coronary arteries. The authors examined the coronary arteries in 157 patients with ischemic heart disease. Calcium deposits were found in 68 patients. The frequency of detection grows with age and period of disease