Aortic calcification on plain chest radiography increases risk for coronary artery disease.

Study Objectives: To determine whether an association exists between aortic calcification viewed on plain chest radiography and coronary artery disease.

Methods: Retrospective review of all chest radiographs obtained from consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography at a primary cardiac center during 1999. Plain chest radiographs were reviewed by blinded radiologists, and interobserver consistency was measured.