Figure 3. Correlation between coronary artery calcification (CAC) severity and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. CAC severity was normalized as the square root of the volume to demonstrate a relationship with LV diastolic dysfunction as measured by the E:E’ ratio. E:E’ ratio values less than 8 are considered normal, whereas values ≥ 15 are considered abnormal and associated with abnormally-elevated LV filling pressure. Values falling between these two extremes are generally non-classifiable in the absence of other measures of LV diastolic function. Results show a strong association between CAC severity and abnormal LV diastolic function. When patients with significant mitral annular calcification were excluded from analysis, these findings remained significant.