Multi Detector-Row Computed Tomography (MDCT) Calcium Score of Heart Transplanted Patients

MDCT Calcium Score of Heart Transplanted Patients

The purpose of the study is to determine if calcium score can be used as a predictor of coronary artery disease in heart transplanted patients, as it is used in non-transplanted persons.

Several studies have shown that a negative calcium score is a strong independent negative predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD in heart transplants (HTx) differs from CAD lesions in native hearts. The aim of this study is to see if there is a similar relation between coronary artery calcium and CAD in transplanted hearts as in native hearts.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Heart transplanted patient
• Aged 18 or above.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Atrial fibrillation
• Severe heart failure New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV
• Severe pulmonary disease making the patient unable to hold his/her breath for more than 10 seconds.