• About
  • Masthead
  • License Content
  • Advertise
  • Submit Press Release
  • RSS/Email List
  • Write for us
  • Contact us
2 Minute Medicine
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

SUBSCRIBE
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
2 Minute Medicine
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
SUBSCRIBE
2 Minute Medicine
Subscribe
Home All Specialties Cardiology

Coronary artery calcium may indicate risk of cardiovascular disease

bys25qthea
November 20, 2013
in Cardiology, Chronic Disease
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Image: PD 

1. This study found that coronary artery calcium density was inversely related to risk of coronary heart disease (myocardial infarction, resuscitated cardiac arrest, or coronary heart disease death) and cardiovascular disease (hard cardiovascular disease, stroke, stroke death). 

2. The addition of coronary artery calcium density in a risk scoring system resulted in significantly improved risk prediction. 

Evidence Rating Level: 2 (Good)           

Study Rundown: Computed tomography (CT) scanning can be used to assess coronary artery calcium. The Agatston score is the method currently used to score the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries, and this metric has been shown to predict cardiovascular disease.  This score, however, does not account for the density of calcium in atherosclerotic plaques even though it is hypothesized that higher densities are associated with lower cardiovascular risk.  This study followed 3,394 male and female participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) for a median of 7.6 years.  The natural logarithm of coronary artery calcium volume had an association with incident coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease.  The coronary artery calcium density, however, was inversely correlated with coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease risk.  The authors subsequently found that coronary artery calcium density improved risk prediction using a risk prediction model.

Major strengths of this study include the large sample size and diversity of the population studied.  Limitations of the study include a relatively short follow up time of 7.6 years and the fact that outcomes like angina and need for cardiac revascularization were not included in the model.  While this study identifies an important relationship, further studies will be required before coronary artery calcium density can be incorporated into risk prediction models used in clinical practice.

Click to read the study in JAMA

RELATED REPORTS

Transcarotid artery revascularization not associated with a significant difference in 30-day risk of stroke, death and myocardial infarction compared to carotid endarterectomy

#VisualAbstract: Routine invasive strategy not associated with improved outcomes in older adults with frailty and non-ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction

History of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with image-identified coronary artery disease

Relevant Reading: Comparison of Novel Risk Markers for Improvement in Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Intermediate-Risk Individuals

In-Depth [prospective cohort study]: This study followed 3,394 men and women from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) for a median of 7.6 years after a CT scan to assess coronary artery calcium for one of two types of cardiac endpoints: coronary heart disease (myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest with resuscitation, or coronary heart disease death) and cardiovascular disease (hard cardiovascular disease, stroke, or stroke death. The natural logarithm of coronary artery calcium was independently associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.47-2.23 per standard deviation increase) and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.42-1.98 per standard deviation increas. Area under the receiver operating curve analysis also showed that the addition of coronary artery calcium density to risk prediction models for coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease resulted in significant improvement.

By Jeffrey Cohen and Rif Rahman

More from this author: Most physicians point to others to control healthcare costs, QRS morphology and duration associated with cardiac resynchronization outcomes, Repeat bone mineral density testing may not improve prediction of fracture outcomes, Risk-reduction counseling with HIV testing may not decrease rates of sexually transmitted infections, Autoantibodies may precede symptom onset in Sjögren’s Syndrome

©2012-2013 2minutemedicine.com. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2minutemedicine.com. Disclaimer: We present factual information directly from peer reviewed medical journals. No post should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors, editors, staff or by 2minutemedicine.com. PLEASE SEE A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IN YOUR AREA IF YOU SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE OF ANY SORT. 

Tags: Coronary artery diseasemyocardial infarction
Previous Post

Home Calculator may predict likelihood of home discharge after surgery

Next Post

Polio outbreak in China halted: Case report

RelatedReports

Patient Basics: Thrombotic Stroke
Imaging and Intervention

Transcarotid artery revascularization not associated with a significant difference in 30-day risk of stroke, death and myocardial infarction compared to carotid endarterectomy

March 24, 2023
StudyGraphics

#VisualAbstract: Routine invasive strategy not associated with improved outcomes in older adults with frailty and non-ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction

March 18, 2023
SARS-CoV-2 is associated with higher incidence of Kawasaki disease in children
Cardiology

History of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with image-identified coronary artery disease

February 16, 2023
Appropriate use criteria for angiography may frequently miss obstructive coronary artery disease
Cardiology

Bivalirudin during and post-percutaneous coronary intervention reduces bleeding and mortality compared to heparin monotherapy

December 6, 2022
Next Post
Polio outbreak in China halted: Case report

Polio outbreak in China halted: Case report

Nut consumption associated with lower overall mortality

Nut consumption associated with lower overall mortality

Stem cell enrichment of fat grafts ineffective in breast augmentation

Stem cell enrichment of fat grafts ineffective in breast augmentation

License Our Award-Winning Physician-Written Medical News and Visual Abstracts

2 Minute Medicine is the leading authoritative medical news licensing service, and the only with reports written by practicing doctors.

LICENSE CONTENT

2MM+ Premium Access

No ads & unlimited access to all current reports, over 9000 searchable archived reports, visual abstracts, Weekly Rewinds, and the online edition of The Classics Series™ textbook.

Subscription Options
2 Minute Medicine

2 Minute Medicine® is an award winning, physician-run, expert medical media company. Our content is curated, written and edited by practicing health professionals who have clinical and scientific expertise in their field of reporting. Our editorial management team is comprised of highly-trained MD physicians. Join numerous brands, companies, and hospitals who trust our licensed content.

Recent Reports

  • Expectant management of patent ductus arteriosus noninferior to early ibuprofen use
  • Exhaled volatile organic compounds predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants
  • Wellness Check: Mental Health
License Content
Terms of Use | Disclaimer
Cookie Policy
Privacy Statement (EU)
Disclaimer

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

Want more physician-written
medical news?

Join over 10 million yearly readers and numerous companies. For healthcare professionals
and the public.

Subscribe for free today!

Subscription options