Incidence and significance of coronary artery calcification.

The incidence of coronary artery calcification was studied in 65 hearts obtained at necropsy. In cases over the age of 40 there was an incidence of coronary calcification of 79 per cent. The incidence increases with age and is slightly more common in men. These lesions occur more commonly in the left coronary circulation than the right. There is a strong association with aortic valve calcification. Postmortem angiographic studies and microcopical examinations indicate that there is a close association between calcification and significant arterial atheroma. It is suggested that routine fluoroscopy should include a searchfor coronary calcification.