The association between coronary artery calcification and mean platelet volume in the general population

Patients with coronary artery calcification have an increased risk of coronary vascular events and mortality. Coronary artery calcification can be quantified using the coronary calcium score (CCS) from multi-detected row computed tomography (MDCT), and the score is proportionally related to the severity of atherosclerotic disease. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is gaining interest as a new independent cardiovascular risk factor. Accordingly, the aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between CCS and MPV in the general population. A total of 2116 individuals were enrolled from a health promotion center between July 2007 and June 2010. Among them, 259 subjects were included in the final analysis. MDCT was used to measure CCS and CCS?>?1 was defined as the presence of coronary calcification. The MPV value was significantly higher in the coronary artery calcification group than in the control group. Multivariate analyses showed that MPV was positively associated with coronary calcification (OR, 1.61; 95% CI 1.02–2.55). In summary, there was a significant association between coronary artery calcification and MPV in the general population. Therefore, the detection of elevated MPV should alert clinicians to the coexistence of multiple underlying CVD risk factors warranting early evaluation and treatment.     

The Relationship between coronary artery calcification as assessed by multi-detector computed tomography and arterial stiffness

Pulse wave analysis and intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid artery are the non-invasive indicators of subclinical atherosclerosis. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) score measured by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is well known as a predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD). We investigated the association between coronary calcification assessed by MDCT and extracoronary atherosclerosis measured by pulse wave analysis and IMT of carotid artery. Arterial stiffness and carotid IMT were measured consecutively in 133 patients who underwent their first coronary MDCT angiography due to chest pain. Patients were divided into three groups according to the CAC score (group 1, score = 0, n = 62; group 2, 0 < score < 400, n = 58; group 3, score ≥ 400, n = 13). The classification of CAC score was associated with age, prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, percentage of brachial mean artery pressure, upstroke time (UT), augmentation index, and carotid IMT. In a multivariate analysis, age (P = .048), hypertension (P = .007), dyslipidemia (P = .24), and mean ankle UT (P = .038) were independent variables for the classification of CAC score. The UT of pulse wave was significantly associated with the CAC score. The increased UT of pulse wave might provide incremental risk prediction in addition to that defined by conventional CHD risk assessment.     

Clinical significance of the coronary calcification score by multidetector row computed tomography for the evaluation of coronary stenosis in Japanese patients.

BACKGROUND: The coronary artery calcification (CAC) score measured by multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) has emerged as a marker for predicting coronary artery disease (CAD). To evaluate the clinical significance of the CAC score, coronary artery stenosis as assessed by coronary angiography (CAG) was compared with the CAC score determined by MDCT, risk factors and medications. METHODS AND RESULTS: Subjects included 374 consecutive patients who underwent ECG-gate CT angiography using MDCT. The accuracy in patients with a CAC score >or=400 was 84%, and significantly lower than that in patients with a CAC score =0. In addition 92 patients (68 males, 24 females; mean age, 63+/-11 years) who underwent both MDCT and CAG within a 1-month period were selected for further investigation. Patients with significant coronary stenosis had a significantly higher CAC score than those without stenosis. In addition, a higher number of stenosed vessels was associated with a higher CAC score. The subjects were divided into 3 groups according to the CAC score: low (0-12), intermediate (13-444) and high (>or=445). The CAC score was significantly associated with age, and plasma levels of total cholesterol and hemoglobinA1c, and logistic regression analysis revealed that significant coronary stenosis as assessed by CAG was most closely correlated with the CAC score (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The CAC score determined by MDCT can predict CAD independent of other factors, such as age, metabolic diseases and medications, when coronary stenosis can not be diagnosed because of severe calcification.     

The Relationship between Coronary Artery Calcification as Assessed by Multi-Detector Computed Tomography and Arterial Stiffness

Pulse wave analysis and intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid artery are the non-invasive indicators of subclinical atherosclerosis. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) score measured by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is well known as a predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD). We investigated the association between coronary calcification assessed by MDCT and extracoronary atherosclerosis measured by pulse wave analysis and IMT of carotid artery. Arterial stiffness and carotid IMT were measured consecutively in 133 patients who underwent their first coronary MDCT angiography due to chest pain. Patients were divided into three groups according to the CAC score (group 1, score = 0, n = 62; group 2, 0 < score < 400, n = 58; group 3, score ≥ 400, n = 13). The classification of CAC score was associated with age, prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, percentage of brachial mean artery pressure, upstroke time (UT), augmentation index, and carotid IMT. In a multivariate analysis, age (P = .048), hypertension (P = .007), dyslipidemia (P = .24), and mean ankle UT (P = .038) were independent variables for the classification of CAC score. The UT of pulse wave was significantly associated with the CAC score. The increased UT of pulse wave might provide incremental risk prediction in addition to that defined by conventional CHD risk assessment.     

冠状动脉钙化积分与冠心病危险因素的相关性

目的经多层冠状动脉CT检查测定的冠状动脉钙化积分对冠心病的诊断具有一定预测价值。而冠心病的危险因素与冠心病的发生、发展、结局和预后密切相关。我们旨在探讨冠状动脉钙化积分与冠心病诸多危险因素之间是否具有相关性。方法入选2001年1月至2007年3月在全国20家医院住院疑诊冠心病患者,采用16排或64排螺旋CT进行冠状动脉增强扫描,并运用自动分析软件进行冠脉钙化积分分析,共入选患者311例,根据冠状动脉钙化积分值分为低分值组（0～12）、中分值组（13～445）和高分值组（446以上）,比较冠状动脉钙化积分与冠心病危险因素之间的关系。结果不同冠状动脉钙化积分分组之间,平均年龄、冠心病家族史比例、高密度脂蛋白数值和糖尿病比例等方面存在差异,P〈0.05。多元Logistic回归分析显示,疑诊冠心病患者年龄（OR=1.061,95%CI1.004～1.121,P=0.036）和低HDL-C水平（OR=0.321,95%CI0.113～0.909,P=0.032）是冠状动脉钙化积分的显著相关危险因素。结论年龄、冠心病家族史、低HDL和糖尿病等冠心病危险因素与冠状动脉钙化密切相关,合并多种冠心病危险因素的患者,尤其是老年和低HDL-C患者,行多层冠状动脉CT检查及冠状动脉钙化积分测定,对冠心病的早期诊断具有一定帮助。     

Coronary arterial calcification is associated with albuminuria in type 2 diabetic patient

AIM: Although microalbuminuria has been suggested as an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease, the relationship between diabetic nephropathy and macroangiopathy remains unclear. Previously, we reported that coronary artery calcification detected by electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) could indicate the degree of coronary atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. In this study, we examine the association between coronary arterial calcification and microalbuminuria and aortic calcification and microalbuminuria. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-six patients, including 177 type 2 diabetic patients (106 patients with normoalbuminuria, 71 with microalbuminuria) and 79 non-diabetic patients were evaluated by assessing the urinary albumin excretion rate and using EBCT to determine a coronary calcification score (CCS) and an aortic calcification score (ACS). RESULTS: No differences were observed regarding age, smoking index or BMI. Diabetic patients exhibited a greater CCS than non-diabetic subjects (non-diabetes 33 +/- 75 vs. diabetes 203 +/- 467, p < 0.05). Diabetic patients with microalbuminuria exhibited the most advanced CCS (253 +/- 491, p < 0.05). In contrast, no difference was observed in ACS among three groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that CCS is significantly associated with urinary albumin excretion rate as well as age, duration of diabetes and serum creatinine (R(2) = 0.31), while ACS is strongly associated with age, smoking, serum creatinine, systolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (R(2) = 0.29). CONCLUSION: Increased urinary albumin excretion is associated with coronary arterial calcification in diabetic patients.     

Lower bone mineral density is associated with higher coronary calcification and coronary plaque burdens by multidetector row coronary computed tomography in pre- and postmenopausal women

Objectives  There is growing evidence for the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and vascular calcification, which is related to cardiovascular disease. Coronary multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) is a noninvasive tool developed to evaluate coronary status precisely. We used MDCT to evaluate this association.
Design and patients  Eight hundred and fifteen subjects received routine checkups. After excluding subjects with factors affecting bone metabolism and cardiovascular disease, 467 subjects were analysed.
Measurements  Coronary calcification was measured with MDCT and BMD was measured with dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
Results  The BMD of the femur and the lumbar spine (L-spine) were negatively associated with the coronary calcium score (CCS) after adjusting for age in women but not in men. This inverse correlation was stronger in women with a longer time since menopause ( r  = −0·35 at femur, postmenopausal women vs. r  = −0·10 at femur, premenopausal women, P  < 0·05), and it was stronger at the femur than in the L-spine ( r  =  − 0·35 at femur vs. r  =  − 0·16 at L-spine, P  < 0·01). The relationship was also stronger in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and osteopaenia than in women with normal BMD. The lower BMD was associated with higher coronary plaque burdens and multidiseased coronary vessels in both men and women ( P <  0·01).
Conclusions  Increased CCS and subclinical atherosclerosis of plaque burdens as revealed by MDCT was associated with a low BMD in all women, independent of cardiovascular risk factors and age.     

钙化积分与冠状动脉多支病变介入术后预后的相关性

目的 研究冠状动脉钙化积分（CCS）与冠状动脉多支血管病变患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）后近、远期预后的关系.方法 入选145例冠状动脉多支血管病变的冠心病患者,在PCI治疗前均接受了多排螺旋CT （MDCT）检查并计算CCS.根据CCS水平将患者分为三组：CCS≤100、CCS=101～400和CCS＞400组.记录患者PCI操作相关并发症,随访记录患者PCI术后主要不良心血管事件（MACE）情况.结果 CCS＞400组患者Syntax积分[（23.5＆#177;8.8）比（17.9＆#177;8.5）,P＜0.001]、三支血管病变的比率（75.4％比56.3％,P=0.015）和PCI操作相关并发症发生率（21.5％比5.0％,P=0.005）均显著高于CCS≤400组患者.所有患者随访360～2542 d（中位数952 d）,Kaplan-Meier生存分析显示CCS≤100、CCS=101～400和CCS＞400组患者累积无事件生存率差异无统计学意义（84.6％比78.0％比64.6％,P=0.141）.但女性患者中累积无事件生存率差异有统计学意义（100.0％比75.0％比50.0％,Log rank 6.836,P=0.033）.结论 在冠状动脉多支血管病变患者中CCS与PCI预后有关,CCS＞400提示较高的PCI并发症发生率.女性患者CCS越高PCI预后越差.     

Multidetector row CT in assessment of coronary artery calcification on hemodialisis

Vascular calcification is a strong predictor of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Coronary artery calcification is more frequent, more extensive and progresses more rapidly in CKD than in general population. They are also considered a marker of coronary heart disease, with high prevalence and functional significance. It suggests that detection and surveillance may be worthwhile in general clinical practice. New non-invasive image techniques, like Multi-detector row CT, a type of spiral scanner, assess density and volume of calcification at multiple sites and allow quantitative scoring of vascular calcification using calcium scores analogous to those from electron-beam CT. We have assessed and quantified coronary artery calcification with 16 multidetector row CT in 44 patients on hemodialysis and their relationship with several cardiovascular risk factors. Coronary artery calcification prevalence was of 84 % with mean calcium score of 1580 +/- 2010 ( r 0-9844) with calcium score > 400 in 66% of patients. It was usually multiple, affecting more than two vessels in more than 50%. In all but one patient, left anterior descending artery was involved with higher calcium score level at right coronary artery. Advanced age, male, diabetes, smoking, more morbidity, cerebrovascular disease previous, and calcium-binders phosphate and analogous vitamin D treatment would seem to be associated with coronary artery calcification. Coronary artery calcification is very frequent and extensive, usually multiple and associated to modifiable risk factors in hemodialysis patients. Multi-detector-row CT seems an effective, suitable, readily applicable method to assess and quantify coronary artery calcification.     

Predictive value of noninvasive coronary angiography with multidetector computed tomography to detect significant coronary stenosis before valve surgery

Quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) is routinely performed before valve surgery for severe acquired valvular disease. This technique is relatively invasive, especially in a population with an average risk for significant coronary stenosis. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) coronary angiography allows the noninvasive evaluation of the coronary anatomy. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the predictive values of 16-slice MDCT in the detection of significant coronary stenosis (> or = 50%) before valve surgery in patients with severe valvular disease without known coronary artery disease and average risk, in comparison with conventional QCA. Forty patients with severe acquired valvular disease (mean age 70 +/- 8.6 years; 20 women; 27 with severe aortic stenosis) underwent coronary MDCT 2 days before cardiac catheterization with QCA. The mean heart rate was 64.7 +/- 8.8 beats/min (range 41 to 78). Four hundred fifty-eight of 600 coronary artery segments (77.3%) were considered assessable by MDCT. In a per-segment analysis, the sensitivity of MDCT for the detection of significant coronary lesions > or = 50% was 77.7%, the specificity was 98%, the positive predictive value was 42.4%, and the negative predictive value was 99%. The main cause of false-positive or false-negative results or nonassessable evaluations was severe coronary calcification. In a per-patient analysis, in comparison with QCA, MDCT correctly classified 33 of 40 patients (82.5%). In conclusion, in patients with an average risk for coronary stenosis before valve surgery, MDCT coronary angiography detected significant obstructive coronary artery disease, with a 99% NPV.     

Coronary artery calcification and emphysema

OBJECTIVE:

It is thought that emphysema patients are at a higher risk of coronary artery disease. The present study is one of very few that evaluated the prevalence of significant coronary artery disease in emphysema patients using coronary artery calcification measured by electron beam computed tomography.

METHODS:

A retrospective chart review evaluated 1720 consecutive patients, some of whom were self-referred. All patients had both heart and lungs imaged with electron beam computed tomography when they were seen at the Inner Imaging Center, a cardiac imaging center affiliated with the Beth Israel Hospital in New York, New York. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine which factors were independently associated with coronary artery calcification.

RESULTS:

Age, sex, hypertension and smoking were the risk factors independently associated with coronary artery calcification in the population studied. The emphysema group was significantly higher on measures of smoking and hypertension compared with the control group. Comparison of scores between the two groups using different categories for coronary artery calcification scores did not show a statistically significant difference using χ² analysis (P=0.088). However, there was a significant difference between dichotomized coronary artery calcification scores of lower than 100 and 100 or higher in patients with and without emphysema, respectively (P=0.013). Coexisting smoking and hypertension may contribute to the higher incidence of coronary artery calcfication in emphysema patients. Symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath were not different between the emphysema and control groups.

CONCLUSION:

Emphysema patients have a higher prevalence of significant coronary artery calcification, defined as a coronary artery calcification score higher than 100.     

High-resolution computed tomography in patients with atypical ‘cardiac‘ chest pain: a study investigating patients at 10-year cardiovascular risks defined by the Framingham and PROCAM scores

Background and objective Atypical ‘cardiac‘ chest pain (ACCP) is not usually caused by myocardial ischaemia. Current noninvasive investigations for these symptoms are not yet as accurate as invasive coronary angiography. The latest 64-row multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) technology is non-invasive, has high specificity and negative predictive values for the detection of significant coronary disease. Our aim was to investigate if this modality can provide more information in the assessment of outpatients with ACCP in addition to established cardiovascular risk scores. Methods Seventy consecutive patients presenting to the outpatient clinic with ACCP underwent 64-row MDCT scan of the coronary arteries. They were categorized into low, medium or high risk groups based upon the Framingham and PROCAM scores. We defined a clinically abnormal MDCT scan as coronary stenosis =50% or calcium score ＞400 Agatston. Results Fifty-three (75.7%) patients did not have clinically abnormal scans. Framingham score classified 43 patients as low-risk while PROCAM classified 59 patients as low-risk. MDCT scans were abnormal for 18.6% and 22.0% of the respective low-risk group of patients. For patients with medium-to-high risk, 33.3% and 36.4% of Framingham and PROCAM patient groups respectively had abnormal MDCT scans. Conclusion MDCT adds valuable information in the assessment of patients with ACCP by identifying a significant proportion of patients categorized as low-risk to have underlying significant coronary stenosis and coronary calcification by established cardiovascular risk scores.     

Dilated left atrium and pulmonary veins in patients with calcified coronary artery: a potential contributor to the genesis of atrial fibrillation

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important etiology of atrial fibrillation (AF). Coronary artery calcification is a marker of coronary atherosclerosis and coronary events. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether larger left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) were seen by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans in those patients with higher coronary calcium scores.
Methods and Results: A total of 166 patients undergoing MDCT for general check-up (n = 128, 77%) or suspected CAD (n = 38, 23%) were enrolled and divided into a control (calcium score = 0, n = 60), medium calcium score (calcium score = 100∼400, n = 47), and high calcium score (calcium score >400, n = 59) groups. Diameters and areas of the LA, left atrial appendage (LAA), and PVs were measured by MDCT. The high calcium score group had significantly larger PVs diameters, LAA orifice area (1.9 ± 1.4 cm², 0.9 ± 0.5 cm², 0.8 ± 0.4 cm², P < 0.005), LA anterior-posterior distance (32.2 ± 6.8 mm, 30.4 ± 6.5 mm, 27.3 ± 6.0 mm, P < 0.05), and transverse distance (52.6 ± 7.3 mm, 50.2 ± 9 mm, 49.5 ± 4.6 mm, P < 0.05) than the medium calcium score and control groups. Six (3.6%) patients with paroxysmal AF had higher calcium scores and larger diameters of LA, LAA, and PVs than those (96.4%) without paroxysmal AF. Two patients in the high calcium score group had calcified PVs localized to the right upper and left upper PVs. The incidence of calcified PVs was 1.2% for the total patients and 3.3% for the high calcium score patients.
Conclusion: In the presence of high calcium scores in this patient population, the LA, LAA, and PVs were enlarged.     

Early detection of premature subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

ObjectiveTo elucidate early coronary atherosclerotic changes in premenopausal systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) female patients without clinical cardiovascular manifestation using a 64-slice Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scan to detect coronary calcification and measure coronary calcium score (CCS), and to find out its correlation to some traditional and non-traditional risk factors.MethodologySixty consecutive premenopausal SLE female patients, and sixty age and sex matched healthy subjects without known systemic, immunological, or cardiovascular disease (served as a control group) underwent clinical examination, serological analysis, and 64-slice MDCT-based coronary calcium scoring. All the clinical, serological, and MDCT parameters of the patients were correlated.ResultsCoronary calcification (CC) was seen in 21 patients (35%), the number of atherosclerotic calcified plaques ranged from 0 to 19. Calcium scores ranged from 0 to 843. In contrast to control subjects, SLE patients had significantly higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol level, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM anti-cardiolipin antibodies, serum intracellular adhesion molecule (sICAM) and E-selectin levels. SLE patients had highly significantly more atherosclerotic plaques (3 ± 0.66 compared to 0.1 ± 0.07, p < 0.001) and higher CCS (59.2 ± 20.3 compared to 2.6 ± 1.85, p < 0.001). Significant positive correlation was found between both number of atherosclerotic plaques and CCS and total cholesterol level, LDL, cumulative prednisone dose, SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), ESR, CRP, sICAM-1, E-Selectin, and anti-cardiolipin antibodies (p < 0.05 in all).ConclusionPre-menopausal SLE female patients free from clinical atherosclerotic vascular disease have an increased number of atherosclerotic plaques and CCS, which correlate positively with SLEDAI disease activity score, serum CRP, anticardiolipin antibodies, sICAM-1, E-Selectin, LDL level, total cholesterol level, and cumulative prednisone dose. In addition, we conclude that MDCT is a non-invasive, sensitive, reproducible, and reliable tool for accurate measurement of coronary calcification.     

Aortic root calcification and cardiac risk factors in patients with coronary calcium score greater than zero using multidetector computed tomography

BackgroundVascular calcification is a marker of atherosclerotic burden and is associated with increased risk of cardiac events. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between clinical cardiac risk factors and aortic root calcification (ARC) in patients with a coronary calcium score (CCS) > 0, as assessed by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).MethodsBetween January and December 2013, 196 consecutive Iraqi patients who underwent MDCT for assessment of coronary disease were recruited. Of these, 69 patients with a CCS > 0 were enrolled in the study. For analytical purposes, patients were divided into two groups by ARC score: patients with ARC > 0 (ARC group, n = 32) and those with ARC = 0 (non-ARC group, n = 37).ResultsThe overall prevalence of ARC was 46%. Mean ARC was 174 ± 28.5 (range, 10–500). A significant correlation was observed between ARC and male sex (r = 0.380, P = 0.032) and between ARC and age ≥65 years (r = 0.353, P = 0.047). These correlations persisted even after multivariate adjustment for other cardiac risk factors. There were no significant correlations between ARC and other cardiac risk factors, and the only significant between-group difference in the distribution of cardiac risk factors was in patient age.ConclusionARC was significantly correlated with older age and male sex in patients with CCS > 0.     

Diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography in patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy in detecting high-grade coronary stenoses in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). BACKGROUND: The MDCT systems with electrocardiographic (ECG)-gating permit visualization of the coronary arteries. However, severe calcifications and higher heart rates are known to degrade image quality and limit correct diagnosis. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with proven CAD as assessed by conventional coronary angiography (CCA) were studied by MDCT (mean time 24 months postangiography). Total calcium score and all coronary arteries, including distal segments and side branches, were assessed with respect to evaluability, presence of high-grade coronary artery stenoses (>70%), and correct diagnosis. Results were compared to CCA. RESULTS: A total of 105 lesions were detected by CCA. The MDCT correctly detected 39 lesions (sensitivity 37%, specificity 99%). The correct clinical diagnosis could be obtained in 24 patients (36%). Artifacts due to elevated heart rates or severe coronary artery calcification were the main cause of degraded image quality inhibiting correct diagnosis. In 21/66 patients (32%) all four major coronary vessel segments could be visualized. A threshold for maximum heart rate and a maximum calcification level were established (65 beats/min and an Agatston Score Equivalent of 335, respectively). A second analysis was made using these thresholds. Of all patients studied, 10/11 (91%) were correctly diagnosed when adhering to these thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: When using MDCT as a noninvasive diagnostic modality to assess advanced CAD, it appears to be mandatory to preselect patients in order to achieve reliable results.     

Subclinical coronary atherosclerosis is more pronounced in men and women with lower socio-economic status: associations in a population-based study. Coronary atherosclerosis and social status.

BACKGROUND: Social inequalities of manifest coronary heart diseases are well documented in modern societies. Less evidence is available on subclinical atherosclerotic disease despite the opportunity to investigate processes underlying this association. Therefore, we examined the relationship between coronary artery calcification as a sign of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, socio-economic status and established cardiovascular risk factors in a healthy population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: In a population-based sample of 4487 men and women coronary artery calcification was assessed by electron beam computed tomography quantified by the Agatston score. Socio-economic status was assessed by two indicators, education and income. First, we investigated associations between the social measures and calcification. Second, we assessed the influence of cardiovascular risk factors on this association. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, men with 10 and less years of formal education had a 70% increase in calcification score compared with men with high education. The respective increase for women was 80%. For income the association was weaker (among men 20% higher for the lowest compared with the highest quartile; and among women 50% higher, respectively). Consecutive adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors significantly attenuated the observed association of socio-economic status with calcification. CONCLUSIONS: Social inequalities in coronary heart diseases seem to influence signs of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis as measured by coronary artery calcification. Importantly, cumulation of major cardiovascular risk factors in lower socio-economic groups accounted for a substantial part of this association.     

红细胞分布宽度、平均血小板体积与早发冠心病的相关性

目的探讨红细胞分布宽度(RDW)、平均血小板体积(MPV)在早发冠心病人群中的分布特征及其与冠状动脉病变严重程度的关系,评价RDW、MPV对早发冠心病的诊断价值。方法收集因胸痛发作疑诊冠心病且男性55岁、女性65岁的患者407例,经冠状动脉造影(CAG)确诊早发冠心病组309例,余98例为正常对照组。比较2组及早发冠心病各疾病亚组间的RDW、MPV水平,分析RDW、MPV与冠状动脉病变严重程度(Gensini评分)的相关性及早发冠心病的独立危险因素。结果早发冠心病组RDW、MPV水平明显高于正常对照组(P0.05),RDW、MPV在急性心肌梗死(AMI)组、不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)组和稳定型心绞痛(SAP)组均高于正常对照组(P0.05)。早发冠心病组RDW、MPV与Gensini评分之间存在正相关(r分别为0.246、0.199,P0.05);多因素Logistic回归分析显示RDW(OR=3.373,95%CI:2.197～6.359,P0.001)和MPV(OR=1.353,95%CI:1.074～1.705,P=0.010)是早发冠心病的独立危险因素。R0C曲线分析发现,RDW诊断早发冠心病的界点值为12.25%(敏感性69%,特异性72%),MPV诊断早发冠心病的界点值为8.55 fl(敏感性91%,特异性37%)。结论 RDW、MPV与早发冠心病的临床类型及冠状动脉病变的严重程度有关,是早发冠心病的独立危险因素,为早发冠心病的诊断提供一定依据。     

冠状动脉钙化积分预测老年冠心病的相关研究

目的进一步探讨预测老年冠心病的新指标,预防心血管事件的发生。方法对≥60岁老年人66例(冠心病48例,非冠心病18例)进行多层螺旋CT(MSCT)冠状动脉扫描和计算机自动测定冠状动脉钙化积分(CACS),对CACS结果进行分析。结果老年冠心病组的CACS明显高于非冠心病组(P<0·01)。3支血管钙化者CACS明显高于1支及2支血管钙化者,且钙化发生在任意血管段都有明确意义(P<0·01,P<0·05)。结论CACS优于传统危险因子,可作为预测冠心病的新指标之一。     

急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者平均血小板体积的变化及与冠状动脉影像的关系

目的:探讨急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死（STEMI）患者平均血小板体积（MPV）变化及与冠脉影像的关系。方法: STEMI患者200例,测定MPV和血生化等实验室指标,行心脏超声检查,阅读急诊冠脉造影结果,分析直接经皮冠脉介入术后梗死相关动脉的血流。选择同期接受冠脉造影但排除冠心病的住院患者200例作为对照。结果: STEMI患者MPV显著高于对照组;校正其它影响因素后,MPV与高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）和左室射血分数（LVEF）呈独立负相关,与冠脉病变积分呈独立正相关;MPV于冠脉多支病变亚组显著高于单支病变亚组,左前降支为梗死相关动脉亚组显著高于左回旋支亚组,梗死相关动脉无自发性开通亚组显著高于自发性开通亚组,直接经皮冠脉介入术后没有达到TIMIⅢ级血流的亚组显著高于达到TIMIⅢ级血流的亚组。结论: STEMI患者MPV显著升高,与冠脉病变严重程度和梗死相关动脉的慢血流有密切关系。