Correlation and predictive value of aortic root calcification markers with coronary artery calcification and obstructive coronary artery disease

Objective

To evaluate the correlation between aortic root calcification (ARC) markers and coronary artery calcification (CAC) derived from coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) and their ability to predict obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 189 patients (47% male, age 60.3 ± 11.1 years) with an intermediate probability of CAD who underwent clinically indicated CACS and coronary CT angiography (CCTA). ARC markers [aortic root calcium score (ARCS) and volume (ARCV)] were calculated and compared to CAC markers: coronary artery calcium score (CACS), volume (CACV), and mass (CACM). CCTA datasets were visually evaluated for significant CAD (stenosis ≥ 50%) and the ability of ARC markers to predict obstructive CAD was assessed.

Results

ARCS (mean 67.7 ± 189.5) and ARCV (mean 67.3 ± 184.7) showed significant differences between patients with and without CAC (109.4 ± 238.6 vs 9.42 ± 31.4, p < 0.0001; 108.5 ± 232.4 vs 9.9 ± 30.5, p < 0.0001). A strong correlation was found for ARCS and ARCV with CACS, CACM, and CACV (all p < 0.0001). In a multivariate analysis, ARCS (OR 1.09, p = 0.033) and ARCV (OR 1.12, p = 0.046) were independent markers for CAC. Using a receiver-operating characteristics analysis, the AUC to detect severe CAC was 0.71 (p < 0.0001) and 0.71 (p < 0.0001) for ARCS and ARCV, respectively. ARCS (0.67, p < 0.0001) and ARCV (0.68, p < 0.0001) showed discriminatory power for predicting obstructive CAD, yielding sensitivities 61 and 78% and specificities of 62 and 80%, respectively.

Conclusion

ARC markers are associated with and independently predict the presence of CAC and obstructive CAD. Further testing is required in patients with severe ARC and significant CAD in order to reliably obtain these markers from thoracic-CT or X-ray for proper risk classification.

     

评估主动脉瓣钙化及二尖瓣钙化是否为冠心病的预测因子

目的 评估主动脉瓣钙化(AVC)及二尖瓣钙化(MAC)是否为冠心病(CAD)的预测因子.方法 研究纳入行冠状动脉CT血管造影(CCTA)患者263例,其中MAC组30例,AVC组82例,MAC+AVC组31例,对照组(None)120例,使用冠状动脉斑块、多支冠状动脉病变、冠状动脉严重狭窄、中重度钙化积分的发生率及冠状动脉病变平均节段数来评估冠状动脉病变累及范围及严重程度.运用Logistic回归分析对MAC、AVC、MAC+AVC与CAD的相关性进行探讨.结果 MAC组、AVC组及MAC+AVC组相对None组在冠状动脉病变累及范围及严重程度均更高,且差异均有统计学意义;对其他传统心血管因素矫正后,AVC组、MAC组及MAC+AVC组与CAD的发生存在独立相关.结论 AVC及MAC是CAD的独立预测因子,常常预示着冠状动脉病变累及范围更广、更严重.     

Relation of coronary vasoreactivity and coronary calcification in asymptomatic subjects with a family history of premature coronary artery disease

Electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) allows non-invasive imaging of coronary calcification and has been promoted as a screening tool for coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic high-risk subjects. This study assessed the relation of coronary calcifications to alterations in coronary vascular reactivity by means of positron emission tomography (PET) in asymptomatic subjects with a familial history of premature CAD. Twenty-one subjects (mean age 51±10 years) underwent EBCT imaging for coronary calcifications expressed as the coronary calcium score (CCS according to Agatston) and rest/adenosine-stress nitrogen-13 ammonia PET with quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and coronary flow reserve (CFR). The mean CCS was 237±256 (median 146, range 0–915). The CCS was <100 in eight subjects and >100 units in 13. As defined by age-related thresholds, 15 subjects had an increased CCS (>75th percentile). Overall mean resting and stress MBF and CFR were 71±16 ml 100 g^–1 min^–1, 218±54 ml 100 g^–1 min^–1 and 3.20±0.77, respectively. Three subjects with CCS ranging from 114 to 451 units had an abnormal CFR (<2.5). There was no relation between CCS and resting or stress MBF or CFR (r=0.17, 0.18 and 0.10, respectively). In asymptomatic subjects a pathological CCS was five times more prevalent than an abnormal CFR. The absence of any close relationship between CCS and CFR reflects the fact that quantitative myocardial perfusion imaging with PET characterises the dynamic process of vascular reactivity while EBCT is a measure of more stable calcified lesions in the arterial wall whose presence is closely related to age.     

Coronary artery calcium score and CT angiography in asymptomatic elderly patients with high pretest probability for coronary artery disease

Purpose

To evaluate the role of coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) and/or coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in asymptomatic elderly patients with high pretest probability for coronary artery disease (CAD).

Materials and methods

Forty-eight consecutive asymptomatic elderly (>65 years) subjects who had a high pretest probability and underwent CACS/CCTA were included. Each CCTA was evaluated for adequacy for assessment of coronary stenosis. Significant stenosis (>50 % diameter narrowing) was assessed on evaluable CT images and by invasive catheter angiography (ICA).

Results

All subjects were men with mean CACS of 880 ± 1779. Among those with low (0–99), intermediate (100–399), and high (400–999) CACS, ICA-verified significant stenosis was present in 8 % (1/13), 23 % (2/13), and 67 % (8/12), respectively. Among those with very high CACS (≥1000) (n = 10), 90 % of CCTAs were not evaluable for stenosis.

Conclusion

In asymptomatic elderly subjects with high pretest probability, CACS followed by CCTA may be considered for those with intermediate to high CACS.

     

Calcium begets calcium: progression of coronary artery calcification in asymptomatic subjects

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that the rate of coronary artery calcium progression is sex specific, namely, that it is greater in men than in women, and that it is age related, particularly in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of the progression of coronary artery calcium in 217 consecutive asymptomatic subjects who underwent at least two electron-beam computed tomographic studies of the heart. Calcium in the distribution of the epicardial arteries was quantified by using both the conventional coronary artery calcium score (CCS) and the calcium volume score (CVS). Linear regression models were used to judge the joint influence of various risk factors, including sex and age, on rates of coronary artery calcium progression. RESULTS: This study included 103 women and 114 men. The mean interval between the subjects' first and last studies was 25 months +/- 11 (SD). Regression analyses clearly demonstrated that the amount of coronary artery calcium present at the initial study was the most important determinant of calcium progression. This was true when coronary artery calcium was quantified by using the conventional CCS (P <.001) or CVS (P <.001). Neither sex nor age was a significant predictor of coronary artery calcium progression. Among traditional risk factors, only hypertension (P =.02) and diabetes (P =.01) were significant independent factors for calcium progression. CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic subjects, the initial CCS and CVS were the most important factors that affected rate of coronary artery calcium progression. Neither age nor sex was as important as these factors in determination of coronary artery calcium progression.     

Coronary artery calcification detected with ultrafast CT as an indication of coronary artery disease.

To assess the relationship of coronary artery calcification to angiographically detectable disease, the authors evaluated 100 patients less than 60 years of age who underwent clinically indicated coronary angiography and ultrafast computed tomography (CT). The ultrafast CT technique consisted of 3-mm-thick contiguous sections and a 100-msec acquisition time. All patients with clinically significant disease at angiography (defined as at least one stenosis with a diameter narrowing of at least 50%) had some coronary artery calcification present at ultrafast CT (100% sensitivity in this population). The absence of calcification at ultrafast CT had a 100% negative predictive value for clinically significant coronary artery disease. Specificity and positive predictive value were 47% and 62%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrafast CT in the detection of patients with angiographically detectable disease were 94% and 72%, respectively. Ultrafast CT of the heart is an anatomically based, noninvasive test with high sensitivity for the detection of coronary artery calcification. Ultrafast CT may be beneficial in the screening of selected populations for the presence of atherosclerotic coronary disease.     

Morphomic calcification score from clinical CT scans: A proxy for coronary artery calcium

BackgroundScreening of cardiovascular risk is essential in preventing cardiac events and quantifying asymptomatic risk. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores are a well-established in predicting cardiovascular risk, but require specialized computed tomography (CT) scans. Given the relationship of aortic calcification with cardiovascular risk, we sought to determine whether aortic calcification measures from incidental CT scans may approximate CAC.Study designRetrospective CT scans and corresponding volumetric CAC scores were obtained from patients at the University of Michigan. Aortic calcifications were measured in 166 scans. Correlations between a novel morphomic calcium (MC) percent score and CAC score were evaluated using Kendall's correlation coefficients. Comparison of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves based on MC at different vertebral levels showed the highest predictive values for measures taken at L4.ResultsMC at L4 shows promise in predicting CAC (AUC 0.90 in non-contrast scans, 0.70 in post-contrast scans). Proposed MC threshold are (4.21% for best sensitivity, B 12.93% for balance, C = 19.26% for specificity) in scans without contrast enhancement and (D = 7.31 for sensitivity, E 8.06 for specificity) in scans with contrast enhancement.ConclusionThe MC score demonstrates promising potential in approximating CAC, particularly at the L4 level. The utilization of MC from incidental CT scans may be useful for assessment of cardiovascular risk. The ability to extract MC from contrast scans makes it especially valuable to patients receiving additional medical or surgical care. Recognition of high-risk patients would allow the use of indicated preventative strategies to avoid hard cardiovascular events in at risk patients.     

Aortic valve calcification as a marker for aortic stenosis severity: assessment on 16-MDCT

OBJECTIVE: The degree of valvular calcification in patients with aortic stenosis was determined with retrospectively ECG-gated 16-MDCT and correlated with the severity of stenosis assessed at cardiac catheterization. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 72 patients (38 men and 34 women; mean age +/- SD, 69.5 +/- 8.8 years) with aortic stenosis who underwent 16-MDCT and cardiac catheterization. Aortic valve calcification was assessed using the aortic Agatston score, aortic mass score, and aortic volume score. Severity of aortic stenosis was classified at cardiac catheterization. Aortic valve area and peak-to-peak and mean transvalvular gradients were correlated with the degree of calcification determined on MDCT. RESULTS: All measured aortic valve calcification scores were significantly higher in patients with severe aortic stenosis (n = 46) than in patients with moderate (n = 15) or mild (n = 11, p < 0.001) aortic stenosis. Aortic valve calcification scores were inversely related to aortic valve area (r = -0.67, p < 0.001 for aortic mass score) and correlated significantly with peak-to-peak (r = 0.70, p < 0.001) and mean transvalvular (r = 0.72, p < 0.001) gradients. No correlation between the aortic valve calcification and the total coronary calcium scores was observed. CONCLUSION: Aortic valve calcification assessed on 16-MDCT is associated with severity of aortic stenosis. Thus, aortic valve calcification scores should be calculated routinely in all patients undergoing MDCT for assessment of coronary calcification. High aortic valve calcification scores indicate possibly severe aortic stenosis and should prompt a further functional evaluation.     

Incremental value of the CT coronary calcium score for the prediction of coronary artery disease

Objectives:

To validate published prediction models for the presence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with new onset stable typical or atypical angina pectoris and to assess the incremental value of the CT coronary calcium score (CTCS).

Methods:

We searched the literature for clinical prediction rules for the diagnosis of obstructive CAD, defined as ≥50% stenosis in at least one vessel on conventional coronary angiography. Significant variables were re-analysed in our dataset of 254 patients with logistic regression. CTCS was subsequently included in the models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated to assess diagnostic performance.

Results:

Re-analysing the variables used by Diamond & Forrester yielded an AUC of 0.798, which increased to 0.890 by adding CTCS. For Pryor, Morise 1994, Morise 1997 and Shaw the AUC increased from 0.838 to 0.901, 0.831 to 0.899, 0.840 to 0.898 and 0.833 to 0.899. CTCS significantly improved model performance in each model.

Conclusions:

Validation demonstrated good diagnostic performance across all models. CTCS improves the prediction of the presence of obstructive CAD, independent of clinical predictors, and should be considered in its diagnostic work-up.     

Usefulness of cinefluoroscopic detection of coronary artery calcification in the diagnostic work-up of coronary artery disease

Aim: To determine in which patients (cine)fluoroscopic detection of coronary artery calcifications is recommended for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and the consequence of this finding for referral for cinecoronary arteriography. Materials and methods: Data were retrospectively obtained from 778 patients who had been referred for cinecoronary arteriography. Excluded were patients with a previous myocardial infarction, a previous abnormal cinecoronary arteriogram and patients with unstable angina. The discriminating value was assessed with the help of the crude likelihood ratio (LR), as well as the LRs stratified for gender, age and symptomatology. The gold standard was the coronary arteriogram. Furthermore, the post-test probability was estimated using logistic regression to take dependence on age, sex and symptomatology into account. Results: The crude LR of a positive and negative test result, with 95% confidence intervals, was, respectively 5.8 (4.1–8.2) and 0.52 (0.47–0.58), but was dependent on the clinical variables. Estimated probabilities of having coronary artery disease (CAD) varied substantially for a negative as well as a positive test result with the categories of clinical variables. Conclusion: (Cine)fluoroscopy discriminates between patients with and without disease; the test proved to be especially useful in females with atypical angina and patients of both sexes with non-specific chest pain.     

冠状动脉钙化积分评价的新方法及临床应用的初步探讨

目的 探讨在冠状动脉CT造影(CT coronary angiography,CTCA)中评估钙化积分的准确性以及对冠状动脉显著狭窄的预测能力,减少病人的辐射剂量.方法 前瞻性研究包括73例患者(女25例,男48例,平均年龄60.27岁±9.78岁,年龄范围34～82岁),使用320排容积CT进行扫描,并对传统钙化积分图像及CTCA图像中分别评估钙化积分.利用Spearman相关分析评价两者的相关性.利用ROC工作曲线,以冠状动脉造影(ICA)结果为参考标准,对比传统钙化积分与造影后钙化积分预测冠状动脉管腔显著狭窄的诊断能力.结果 传统钙化积分的平均值为365±514,造影后钙化积分平均值为404±572,两者呈高度相关(r=0.977,P＜0.01).传统的钙化积分曲线下面积(area under the curve,AUC)为0.859,95％CI 0.774～0.945,CTCA中评估的钙化积分AUC为0.863,95％CI 0.779～0.947.结论 CTCA中评估的钙化积分与传统平扫钙化积分有良好的相关性和准确性,从而可以略过单纯的钙化积分扫描,进一步降低病人的辐射剂量.     

Added value of coronary artery calcium score as an adjunct to gated SPECT for the evaluation of coronary artery disease in an intermediate-risk population.

The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is a readily and widely available tool for the noninvasive diagnosis of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to investigate the added value of the CAC score as an adjunct to gated SPECT for the assessment of CAD in an intermediate-risk population. METHODS: Seventy-seven prospectively recruited patients with intermediate risk (as determined by the Framingham Heart Study 10-y CAD risk score) and referred for coronary angiography because of suspected CAD underwent stress (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and CT CAC scoring within 2 wk before coronary angiography. The sensitivity and specificity of SPECT alone and of the combination of the 2 methods (SPECT plus CAC score) in demonstrating significant CAD (>/=50% stenosis on coronary angiography) were compared. RESULTS: Forty-two (55%) of the 77 patients had CAD on coronary angiography, and 35 (45%) had abnormal SPECT results. The CAC score was significantly higher in subjects with perfusion abnormalities than in those who had normal SPECT results (889 +/- 836 [mean +/- SD] vs. 286 +/- 335; P < 0.0001). Similarly, with rising CAC scores, a larger percentage of patients had CAD. Receiver-operating-characteristic analysis showed that a CAC score of greater than or equal to 709 was the optimal cutoff for detecting CAD missed by SPECT. SPECT alone had a sensitivity and a specificity for the detection of significant CAD of 76% and 91%, respectively. Combining SPECT with the CAC score (at a cutoff of 709) improved the sensitivity of SPECT (from 76% to 86%) for the detection of CAD, in association with a nonsignificant decrease in specificity (from 91% to 86%). CONCLUSION: The CAC score may offer incremental diagnostic information over SPECT data for identifying patients with significant CAD and negative MPI results.     

钙化对FFR CT诊断冠状动脉疾病准确性影响的研究

目的研究钙化对冠状动脉CT血管成像(CCTA)测定的血流储备分数(FFR_(CT))诊断冠状动脉疾病准确性的影响。方法回顾性分析行CCTA检查和有创FFR检查的38例病人共50支血管的资料。用Agatston积分法测量50支血管的钙化积分值,以钙化积分值100为阈值,分为A1组(≤100)和A2组(100)。利用c FFR软件进行FFR_(CT)值测定,FFR及FFR_(CT)0.8定义为病变特异性心肌缺血。采用组内相关系数(ICC)计算总体及A1、A2组FFR_(CT)与FFR的一致性。以有创FFR作为参考标准,以血管为分析单位,分别计算总体及A1、A2两组FFR_(CT)的诊断准确度、敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值,并采用Fisher确切概率法比较2组间的差异。结果总体FFR_(CT)和FFR的ICC系数为0.771(95%CI:0.597~0.870),A1组FFR_(CT)和FFR的ICC为0.819(95%CI:0.633~0.910),A2组FFR_(CT)和FFR的ICC为0.649(95%CI:0.032~0.873)。总体FFR_(CT)诊断敏感度、特异度、准确度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值分别为90.9%、97.4%、96.0%、90.9%、97.4%;A1组和A2组FFR_(CT)诊断敏感度、特异度、准确度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值分别为85.7%、100%、96.9%、100%、96.0%和100%、92.3%、94.1%、80.0%、100%;A1和A2组间诊断效能各指标的差异均无统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论 FFR_(CT)与FFR在冠状动脉狭窄血流评估方面有较好的一致性,研究未显示钙化影响FFR_(CT)的诊断效能。     

A systematic review on diagnostic accuracy of CT-based detection of significant coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVES: Systematic review of diagnostic accuracy of contrast enhanced coronary computed tomography (CE-CCT). BACKGROUND: Noninvasive detection of coronary artery stenosis (CAS) by CE-CCT as an alternative to catheter-based coronary angiography (CCA) may improve patient management. METHODS: Forty-one articles published between 1997 and 2006 were included that evaluated native coronary arteries for significant stenosis and used CE-CCT as diagnostic test and CCA as reference standard. Study group characteristics, study methodology and diagnostic outcomes were extracted. Pooled summary sensitivity and specificity of CE-CCT were calculated using a random effects model (1) for all coronary segments, (2) assessable segments, and (3) per patient. RESULTS: The 41 studies totaled 2515 patients (75% males; mean age: 59 years, CAS prevalence: 59%). Analysis of all coronary segments yielded a sensitivity of 95% (80%, 89%, 86%, 98% for electron beam CT, 4/8-slice, 16-slice and 64-slice MDCT, respectively) for a specificity of 85% (77%, 84%, 95%, 91%). Analysis limited to segments deemed assessable by CT showed sensitivity of 96% (86%, 85%, 98%, 97%) for a specificity of 95% (90%, 96%, 96%, 96%). Per patient, sensitivity was 99% (90%, 97%, 99%, 98%) and specificity was 76% (59%, 81%, 83%, 92%). Heterogeneity was quantitatively important but not explainable by patient group characteristics or study methodology. CONCLUSIONS: Current diagnostic accuracy of CE-CCT is high. Advances in CT technology have resulted in increases in diagnostic accuracy and proportion of assessable coronary segments. However, per patient, accuracy may be lower and CT may have more limited clinical utility in populations at high risk for CAD.