Is PMCT-calculated coronary artery calcium score (PMCT CaSc) a predictor of sudden death due to coronary ischaemia in younger persons i.e. males < 50 years of age and females < 60 years of age?

摘要

CT coronary artery calcium scoring (CaSc) is a non-invasive technique used to measure the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries by acquiring an ECG-gated non-contrast CT scan of the heart [17]. It is routinely used as predictive indicator of future coronary events in live patients in clinical practice. Although its use in live patients has already been well established, its potential application in forensic analysis is not yet accepted as standard practice.The purpose of this review is to assess the current literature to determine the potential use of CaSc in the deceased by utilising post mortem CT (PMCT) techniques, instead of the more invasive post mortem CT coronary angiogram (PMCTCA) application. The primary objective is to assess its potential as a test to establish cause of sudden death due to myocardial ischemia in young people (i.e. Males <50 years of age, and Females < 60 years of age) and to determine this score value.