Association between socioeconomic position and coronary artery calcium score in patients with symptoms suggestive of obstructive coronary artery disease

AimLow socioeconomic-position (SEP) is associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease. Whether this is caused by earlier development of atherosclerotic calcifications is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between SEP and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in a population presenting with symptoms suggestive of obstructive coronary artery disease.MethodsWe included 50,561 patients (mean age 57 ​± ​11, 53% women) from a national registry undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) from 2008 to 2019. CACS was used as outcome in categories; 1–399 and ​≥ ​400 in regression analyses. SEP was obtained from central registries and defined as mean personal income and length of education.ResultsThe number of risk factors were negatively associated with income and education among both men and women. The adjusted OR of having a CACS≥400 was 1.67(1.50–1.86) among women with <10 years of education compared to >13 years. For men the corresponding OR was 1.03(0.91–1.16).For women with low income the adjusted OR of CACS ≥400 was 2.29(1.96–2.69) using high income as a reference. For men the corresponding OR was 1.13(0.99–1.29).ConclusionIn patients referred for coronary CTA we found an increased level of risk factors among men and women with short education and low income. Among women with longer education and a higher income we demonstrated a lower CACS compared to other women and men. Socioeconomic differences seem to affect the development of CACS beyond what can be explained by traditional risk factors. Part of the observed result may be due to referral bias.ClinicalTrials.gov identifierNone.     

2016 SCCT/STR guidelines for coronary artery calcium scoring of noncontrast noncardiac chest CT scans: A report of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography and Society of Thoracic Radiology

The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) and the Society of Thoracic Radiology (STR) have jointly produced this document. Experts in this subject have been selected from both organizations to examine subject-specific data and write this guideline in partnership. A formal literature review, weighing the strength of evidence has been performed. When available, information from studies on cost was considered. Computed tomography (CT) acquisition, CAC scoring methodologies and clinical outcomes are the primary basis for the recommendations in this guideline. This guideline is intended to assist healthcare providers in clinical decision making. The recommendations reflect a consensus after a thorough review of the best available current scientific evidence and practice patterns of experts in the field and are intended to improve patient care while acknowledging that situations arise where additional information may be needed to better inform patient care.     

Clinical indications for coronary artery calcium scoring in asymptomatic patients: Expert consensus statement from the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

This expert consensus statement summarizes the available data regarding the prognostic value of CAC in the asymptomatic population and its ability to refine individual risk prediction, addresses the limitations identified in the current traditional risk factor-based treatment strategies recommended by the 2013 ACC/AHA Prevention guidelines including use of the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE), and the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Recommendation Statement for Statin Use for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults. It provides CAC based treatment recommendations both within the context of the shared decision making model espoused by the 2013 ACC/AHA Prevention guidelines and independent of these guidelines.     

Prevalence and severity of coronary artery calcium in young persons with diabetes

BackgroundCurrently, American Diabetes Association guidelines suggest statin use among persons with diabetes mellitus aged >40 years. The presence of calcified plaque in coronary arteries is a sensitive surrogate of coronary artery disease and has been shown to be an independent predictor of mortality and cardiac events.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of calcified plaque in coronary arteries in patients aged <40 years with and without diabetes.MethodsWe included 3723 asymptomatic patients aged <40 years who had undergone coronary calcium scanning. Clinical and demographic data were collected. Agatston score was categorized into Agatston score 0 as normal, 1 to 99 as low, 100 to 399 as intermediate, and ≥400 as severe; and statistical analysis was performed.ResultsThe study population consisted of 4% persons with diabetes (n = 142) and 56% men with a mean age of 35 ± 5 years. Young persons with diabetes had greater prevalence of Agatston score > 0 than persons without diabetes (43% vs 24%; P < .0001). In addition, 12% of persons with diabetes vs 2.5% of persons without diabetes had an Agatston score ≥ 100 (P < .0001). The prevalence of calcified plaque in coronary arteries was >50% in persons with diabetes aged >35 years. After taking into account risk factors, the presence of diabetes was associated with a 4-fold higher odds of an Agatston score ≥ 100 (odds ratio, 4.19; 95% CI, 2.29–7.65; P < .0001).ConclusionOur study found that 43% of young patients with diabetes have detectable coronary atherosclerosis. Given the known clinical implications of calcified plaque in coronary arteries, future studies are needed to evaluate interventions in persons aged <40 years who exhibit subclinical atherosclerosis to reduce future cardiovascular disease events in this vulnerable population.     

Association of left ventricular diastolic function with coronary artery calcium score: A Project Baseline Health Study

BackgroundCoronary artery calcium (CAC) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) are strong predictors of cardiovascular events and share common risk factors. However, their independent association remains unclear.MethodsIn the Project Baseline Health Study (PBHS), 2082 participants underwent cardiac-gated, non-contrast chest computed tomography (CT) and echocardiography. The association between left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and CAC was assessed using multidimensional network and multivariable-adjusted regression analyses. Multivariable analysis was conducted on continuous LV diastolic parameters and categorical classification of LVDD and adjusted for traditional cardiometabolic risk factors. LVDD was defined using reference limits from a low-risk reference group without established cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular risk factors or evidence of CAC, (n ?= ?560). We also classified LVDD using the American Society of Echocardiography recommendations.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 51 ?± ?17 years with 56.6% female and 62.6% non-Hispanic White. Overall, 38.1% had hypertension; 13.7% had diabetes; and 39.9% had CAC >0. An intertwined network was observed between diastolic parameters, CAC score, age, LV mass index, and pulse pressure. In the multivariable-adjusted analysis, e’, E/e’, and LV mass index were independently associated with CAC after adjustment for traditional risk factors. For both e’ and E/e’, the effect size and statistical significance were higher across increasing CAC tertiles. Other independent correlates of e’ and E/e’ included age, female sex, Black race, height, weight, pulse pressure, hemoglobin A1C, and HDL cholesterol. The independent association with CAC was confirmed using categorical analysis of LVDD, which occurred in 554 participants (26.6%) using population-derived thresholds.ConclusionIn the PBHS study, the subclinical coronary atherosclerotic disease burden detected using CAC scoring was independently associated with diastolic function.Clinicaltrials.gov identifierNCT03154346.     

Coronary artery calcium screening: current status and recommendations from the European Society of Cardiac Radiology and North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging

Current guidelines and literature on screening for coronary artery calcium for cardiac risk assessment are reviewed for both general and special populations. It is shown that for both general and special populations a zero score excludes most clinically relevant coronary artery disease. The importance of standardization of coronary artery calcium measurements by multidetector CT is discussed. This consensus article is being published concurrently in the Springer Journal International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging.     

老年人多排螺旋CT冠状动脉钙化扫描临床应用初探

目的：评估不同扫描层厚对冠状动脉钙化积分和冠状动脉显示的影响。方法：98例70岁以上疑为冠心病的病人进行不同层厚的多排螺旋CT冠状动脉钙化积分扫描，36例扫描层厚为1mm，其中28例病人同次先后进行层厚为1mm和2mm的扫描，62例层厚为2mm；对每次扫描进行钙化分析。结果：在层厚为1mm的扫描，78％的病人不能一次闭气完成扫描，出现呼吸伪影。在同次先后进行层厚为1mm和2mm扫描的28例病人，扫描层厚为1mm的钙化积分明显高于扫描层厚为2mm的扫描的钙化积分。结论：对于4层多排螺旋CT而言，使用2mm的扫描层厚进行冠状动脉钙化扫描较为合适。     

D-二聚体与冠状动脉病变关系的探讨

目的探讨冠状动脉硬化性心脏病（冠心病）患者血浆D-二聚体水平与冠状动脉病变程度的关系。方法测定145例行冠状动脉造影病例的D-二聚体水平。根据冠状动脉造影结果分为冠脉造影阴性组和冠脉造影阳性组,冠脉造影阳性组又分为单支病变组和多支病变组,比较各组间D-二聚体水平。结果冠脉造影阳性组D-二聚体水平显著高于冠脉造影阴性组（P〈0.05）,冠脉造影阳性组中冠脉多支病变组D-二聚体水平明显高于冠脉单支病变组（P〈0.05）。结论血浆D-二聚体水平与冠脉病变程度密切相关,能在一定程度上反映冠脉病变程度和指导临床治疗。     

High-pitch dual-source CT for coronary artery calcium scoring: A head-to-head comparison of non-triggered chest versus triggered cardiac acquisition

BackgroundTo determine the effect of low-dose, high-pitch non-electrocardiographic (ECG)-triggered chest CT on coronary artery calcium (CAC) detection, quantification and risk stratification, compared to ECG-triggered cardiac CT.MethodsWe selected 1,000 participants from the ImaLife study, 50% with coronary calcification on cardiac CT. All participants underwent non-contrast cardiac CT followed by chest CT using third-generation dual-source technology. Reconstruction settings were equal for both acquisitions. CAC scores were determined by Agatston's method, and divided dichotomously (0, >0), and into risk categories (0, 1–99, 100–399, ≥400). We investigated the influence of heart rate and body mass index (BMI) on risk reclassification.ResultsPositive CAC scores on cardiac CT ranged from 1 to 6926 (median 39). Compared to cardiac CT, chest CT had sensitivity of 0.96 (95%CI 0.94–0.98) and specificity of 0.99 (95%CI 0.97–0.99) for CAC detection (κ = 0.95). In participants with coronary calcification on cardiac CT, CAC score on chest CT was lower than on cardiac CT (median 30 versus 40, p?0.001). Agreement in CAC-based risk strata was excellent (weighted κ = 0.95). Sixty-five cases (6.5%) were reclassified by one risk category in chest CT, with fifty-five (84.6%) shifting downward. Higher BMI resulted in higher reclassification rate (13% for BMI ≥30 versus 5.2% for BMI <30, p = 0.001), but there was no effect of heart rate.ConclusionLow-dose, high-pitch chest CT, using third-generation dual-source technology shows almost perfect agreement with cardiac CT in CAC detection and risk stratification. However, low-dose chest CT mainly underestimates the CAC score as compared to cardiac CT, and results in inaccurate risk categorization in BMI ≥30.     

基于冠状动脉CT血管成像定量钙化负荷的可行性研究

目的 探讨冠状动脉CT血管成像（CCTA）一站式计算冠状动脉钙化积分（CCTA-CS）和体积积分（CCTA-VS）的可行性,并分析其与心电门控CT平扫测得标准积分（CACS、VS）的相关性。 方法 本研究回顾性连续纳入1 075例受试者,男447例,女628例,平均年龄（56.79±9.49）岁。全部受试者均行包括门控CT平扫和CCTA的常规冠状动脉CT检查,测量CACS、VS、CCTA-CS和CCTA-VS。选择CACS与CCTA-CS均不为0的影像数据进行分析。采用组内相关系数（ICC）评估2名观察者间及观察者内测量CCTA-CS和CCTA-VS的一致性。采用线性相关分析与Bland-Altman检验分析CCTA与门控CT平扫所测评分的相关性与一致性。根据CACS对受试者进行心血管病危险度分层,并采用Kruskal-Wallis H检验比较多组间的CCTA-CS与CCTA-VS。采用二元Logistic回归分析影响钙化积分的危险因素。采用独立样本t检验比较CCTA和常规冠状动脉CT检查的有效辐射剂量（ED）。 结果 CACS和CCTA-CS不为0的受试者共437例。2名观察者间和观察者内测量的CCTA-CS和CCTA-VS的一致性均较好（均ICC>0.960）。CCTA-CS与CACS、CCTA-VS与VS均呈较好的正相关（r²=0.98、0.96,均P<0.05）。Bland-Altman检验结果显示CCTA与门控CT平扫所测评分间的一致性较高。不同危险分层病人的CCTA-CS和CCTA-VS差异均有统计学意义（均P<0.05）。Logistic回归分析显示高血压、糖尿病、高脂血症、吸烟史、脑血管病均为CACS、CCTA-CS的危险因素。CCTA检查的ED低于常规冠状动脉CT检查,Flash扫描可减少21.2%,Sequence扫描可减少18.6%。 结论 CCTA一站式测量可以精确定量钙化,测得的CCTA-CS、CCTA-VS与标准积分有较好的相关性,且能有效降低辐射剂量。     

心肌灌注显像与冠状动脉钙化积分对冠心病风险评估的研究现状及相互关系

冠心病是严重威胁人类健康的常见病和多发病.早期诊断冠心病,无创、准确地进行心脏不良事件的风险评估并及时干预,是亟待解决的临床问题.风险评估模型对于心脏风险评估的有效性虽已被众多临床试验所证实,但仍有局限性.心肌灌注显像及冠状动脉钙化积分以及两者结合,为冠心病诊断及心脏风险的评估提供了新的思路.     

CT coronary calcium scoring with tin filtration using iterative beam-hardening calcium correction reconstruction

ObjectivesTo investigate the diagnostic accuracy of CT coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) with tin pre-filtration (Sn100 kVp) using iterative beam-hardening correction (IBHC) calcium material reconstruction compared to the standard 120 kVp acquisition.BackgroundThird generation dual-source CT (DSCT) CACS with Sn100 kVp acquisition allows significant dose reduction. However, the Sn100 kVp spectrum is harder with lower contrast compared to 120kVp, resulting in lower calcium score values. Sn100 kVp spectral correction using IBHC-based calcium material reconstruction may restore comparable calcium values.MethodsImage data of 62 patients (56% male, age 63.9 ± 9.2years) who underwent a clinically-indicated CACS acquisition using the standard 120 kVp protocol and an additional Sn100 kVp CACS scan as part of a research study were retrospectively analyzed. Datasets of the Sn100 kVp scans were reconstructed using a dedicated spectral IBHC CACS reconstruction to restore the spectral response of 120 kVp spectra. Agatston scores were derived from 120 kVp and IBHC reconstructed Sn100 kVp studies. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was assessed and Agatston score categories and percentile-based risk categorization were compared.ResultsMedian Agatston scores derived from IBHC Sn100 kVp scans and 120 kVp acquisition were 31.7 and 34.1, respectively (p = 0.057). Pearson‘s correlation coefficient showed excellent correlation between the acquisitions (r = 0.99, p < 0.0001). Agatston score categories and percentile-based cardiac risk categories showed excellent agreement (ĸ = 1.00 and ĸ = 0.99), resulting in a low cardiac risk reclassification of 1.6% with the use of IBHC CACS reconstruction. Image noise was 24.9 ± 3.6HU in IBHC Sn100 kVp and 17.1 ± 3.9HU in 120 kVp scans (p < 0.0001). The dose-length-product was 13.2 ± 3.4 mGy cm with IBHC Sn100 kVp and 59.1 ± 22.9 mGy cm with 120 kVp scans (p < 0.0001), resulting in a significantly lower effective radiation dose (0.19 ± 0.07 mSv vs. 0.83 ± 0.33 mSv, p < 0.0001) for IBHC Sn100 kVp scans.ConclusionLow voltage CACS with tin filtration using a dedicated IBHC CACS material reconstruction algorithm shows excellent correlation and agreement with the standard 120 kVp acquisition regarding Agatston score and cardiac risk categorization, while radiation dose is significantly reduced by 75% to the level of a chest x-ray.     

The use of coronary artery calcium scoring in young adults

Although overall atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) incidence has been declining in the United States, there is evidence that the incidence of ASCVD events in young adults is increasing. The early initiation of preventive therapies could result in a greater number of life-years saved, and therefore determining the appropriate way to identify high-risk young adults is becoming increasingly important. The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, an established marker of coronary artery atherosclerosis, can improve discrimination for ASCVD risk beyond established risk prediction tools. Based on abundant evidence, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines currently recommend an approach of using CAC scores as a tool for risk assessment and decision-making regarding drug therapy for primary prevention in middle-aged individuals. However, CAC scoring is not recommended for universal screening in young adults, where its yield and utility for altering clinical decisions are limited. Recent studies have demonstrated the nonnegligible prevalence of CAC and its strong association with ASCVD in young adults, suggesting its potential to reclassify risk and improve selection of young adults most likely to benefit from early preventive therapies. Although convincing clinical trials have not been performed in this population yet, CAC scores should be used selectively in young adults whose ASCVD risk may be sufficiently high to warrant a CAC score assessment. This review summarizes the evidence available regarding CAC scoring in young adults, and discusses an appropriate future role of CAC scores in preventing ASCVD in this population.     

多层螺旋CT冠状动脉钙化积分的研究进展

冠状动脉钙化积分对于冠心病的预测有重要的临床价值,随着CT技术发展,多层螺旋CT在冠状动脉钙化检测方面的价值逐渐成为临床研究的热点。本文叙述了多层螺旋CT在冠状动脉钙化积分方面的研究进展。     

Coronary artery calcium scoring vs. coronary CT angiography for the assessment of occupationally significant coronary artery disease

BackgroundExisting pathways for investigating coronary artery disease (CAD) in individuals undertaking high-hazard employment are currently guided by coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) or coronary CT angiography (CTA). The optimal pathway has not been established.AimTo compare the diagnostic outcome and occupational recommendations from two differing investigative pathways for the investigation of CAD in a cohort of high-hazard employees.MethodsWe collected CACS and coronary CTA data from three clinics across two Hospitals on 200 consecutive individuals employed in high-hazard occupations to confirm/exclude occupationally significant CAD. High-hazard occupations were grouped into civil/military pilots and aircraft controllers (n ?= ?106); non-pilot aircrew (NPA) (n ?= ?26); and ground-based (military) personnel (GBP) (n ?= ?52). Demographics, referral indications and recommended occupational outcomes between pathways were compared between groups.ResultsThe CACS pathway led to more than double the number of individuals being returned to partial or full employment, compared with the coronary CTA pathway (OR 2.10, [95%CI 1.54–2.85], P ?< ?0.001). This effect was seen in all sub-groups.Of the 177 subjects that would have been returned to full employment using CACS, 21 (11.9%) would have been occupationally restricted on the basis of significant non-calcified plaque disease using coronary CTA (11.4% pilots/controllers; 19.2% non-pilot aircrew, and 7.7% ground-based personnel).ConclusionUsing CACS to determine the presence of occupational CAD risks returning individuals to roles with occupationally significant CAD that may lead to an unacceptably high likelihood of an incapacitating/distracting acute coronary event. Coronary CTA appears to be a more reliable, non-invasive imaging modality for confirming or excluding occupationally significant CAD in high-hazard employees.     

The accuracy of coronary CT angiography in patients with coronary calcium score above 1000 Agatston Units: Comparison with quantitative coronary angiography

BackgroundHigh amounts of coronary artery calcium (CAC) pose challenges in interpretation of coronary CT angiography (CCTA). The accuracy of stenosis assessment by CCTA in patients with very extensive CAC is uncertain.MethodsRetrospective study was performed including patients who underwent clinically directed CCTA with CAC score >1000 and invasive coronary angiography within 90 days. Segmental stenosis on CCTA was graded by visual inspection with two-observer consensus using categories of 0%, 1–24%, 25–49%, 50–69%, 70–99%, 100% stenosis, or uninterpretable. Blinded quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) was performed on all segments with stenosis ≥25% by CCTA. The primary outcome was vessel-based agreement between CCTA and QCA, using significant stenosis defined by diameter stenosis ≥70%. Secondary analyses on a per-patient basis and inclusive of uninterpretable segments were performed.Results726 segments with stenosis ≥25% in 346 vessels within 119 patients were analyzed. Median coronary calcium score was 1616 (1221–2118). CCTA identification of QCA-based stenosis resulted in a per-vessel sensitivity of 79%, specificity of 75%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 45%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 93%, and accuracy 76% (68 false positive and 15 false negative). Per-patient analysis had sensitivity 94%, specificity 55%, PPV 63%, NPV 92%, and accuracy 72% (30 false-positive and 3 false-negative). Inclusion of uninterpretable segments had variable effect on sensitivity and specificity, depending on whether they are considered as significant or non-significant stenosis.ConclusionsIn patients with very extensive CAC (>1000 Agatston units), CCTA retained a negative predictive value ​> ​90% to identify lack of significant stenosis on a per-vessel and per-patient level, but frequently overestimated stenosis.     

Use of coronary artery calcium testing to improve coronary heart disease risk assessment in a lung cancer screening population: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

BackgroundAssessment of coronary artery calcium (CAC) during lung cancer screening chest computed tomography (CT) represents an opportunity to identify asymptomatic individuals at increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. We determined the improvement in CHD risk prediction associated with the addition of CAC testing in a population recommended for lung cancer screening.MethodsWe included 484 out of 6814 Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) participants without baseline cardiovascular disease who met U.S. Preventive Service Task Force CT lung cancer screening criteria and underwent gated CAC testing. 10 year-predicted CHD risks with and without CAC were calculated using a validated MESA-based risk model and categorized into low (<5%), intermediate (5%–10%), and high (≥10%). The net reclassification improvement (NRI) and change in Harrell's C-statistic by adding CAC to the risk model were subsequently determined.ResultsOf 484 included participants (mean age = 65; 39% women; 32% black), 72 (15%) experienced CHD events over the course of follow-up (median = 12.5 years). Adding CAC to the MESA CHD risk model resulted in 17% more participants classified into the highest or lowest risk categories and a NRI of 0.26 (p = 0.001). The C-statistic improved from 0.538 to 0.611 (p = 0.01).ConclusionsCHD event rates were high in this lung cancer screening eligible population. These individuals represent a high-risk population who merit consideration for CHD prevention measures regardless of CAC score. Although overall discrimination remained poor with inclusion of CAC scores, determining whether those reclassified to an even higher risk would benefit from more aggressive preventive measures may be important.