Final answer:
The Agatston grade is a scoring system used to assess the risk of coronary artery disease and is obtained through a computed tomography (CT) scan of the heart, which measures calcium deposits in the coronary arteries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients with an Agatston grade greater than 400 indeed have a severe risk of major adverse cardiac events. The Agatston grade, which quantifies coronary calcification, is obtained using a computed tomography (CT) scan of the heart. This method involves taking multiple images of the heart at different angles and using these images to detect the presence and quantify the extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. It's a scoring system that helps assess the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) by measuring the amount of calcium deposits. The higher the score, the higher the risk of developing events such as myocardial infarction or stroke. This test plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of underlying atherosclerosis, guiding decisions on preventive measures and treatments like vessel grafting or artery expansion.