Cardiac calcification is a broad term for any calcification affecting the valves, coronary arteries, aortic root, endocardium, myocardium, and/or pericardium.
Pathology
Causes of cardiac calcification are:
coronary artery disease (most common)
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commonly secondary to aging
prematurely in bicuspid aortic valves
mitral valve and annulus
myocardium, e.g. post-infarct, rapidly progressive due to sepsis
pericardium, e.g. in calcific pericarditis
calcified thrombus - most common locations include left atrial appendage and LV apex
calcified true and pseudo-aneurysm of the left ventricle
Each type of calcification has a unique presentation and may help guide patient care, as calcifications have different etiologies, treatments and outcomes.