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CAC scoring results in a high reclassification rate in the intermediate-risk cohort, demonstrating the benefit of imaging of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. Our study supports its application, especially in carefully selected individuals with intermediate risk.

This in vivo correlation between ICUS and EBCT demonstrates that EBCT is a noninvasive method that helps to visualize the atherosclerotic process by localization and quantification of coronary artery calcifications. EBCT detects calcified plaques with high accuracy. Plaques without ultrasound signs of calcifications can be detected by EBCT but with lower sensitivity but equivalent specificity.

Accidental non-coronary pathology is a frequent finding in electron-beam tomographic calcium scanning, and often requires diagnostic or therapeutic action. Profound knowledge of the radiological differential diagnosis of the thoracic organs is necessary for reporting electron-beam tomographic scans, in order to avoid misdiagnosis and to receive a high quality interpretation.

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