Performance of the coronary calcium score in an outpatient chest pain clinic and strategies for risk stratification.

Background: Coronary artery calcium score (CAC) is an objective marker of atherosclerosis. The primary aim is to assess CAC as a risk classifier in stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Hypothesis: CAC improves CAD risk prediction, compared to conventional risk scoring, even in the absence of cardiovascular risk factor inputs.