What is the clinical significance of the plaque being calcified? Is that worse (or better?) than "regular" cholesterol plaque? Or is that just another term for the same thing?
Not a doctor, but my understanding is that the calcification is a later stage of damage. Basically you get Inflammation, Plaques, Calcification in that order.
Someone more educated should chime in, or that could serve as a basis for starting your own learning
The significance of obtaining a more accurate calcium score is in the stratification of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. The calcium score has been correlated with higher risk for myocardial infarctions and strokes, but is just one of many factors guiding prevention. In the case where a patient has other concomitant risks such as hypertension and dyslipidemia, the clinician may advice more aggressive management. An example: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/915230
Someone more educated should chime in, or that could serve as a basis for starting your own learning