Project description:The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score predicts future coronary heart disease (CHD) events and could be used to guide primary prevention interventions, but CAC measurement has costs and exposes patients to low-dose radiation.We estimated the cost-effectiveness of measuring CAC and prescribing statin therapy based on the resulting score under a range of assumptions using an established model enhanced with CAC distribution and risk estimates from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Ten years of statin treatment for 10,000 55-year-old women with high cholesterol (10-year CHD risk, 7.5%) was projected to prevent 32 myocardial infarctions, cause 70 cases of statin-induced myopathy, and add 1108 years to total life expectancy. Measuring CAC and targeting statin treatment to the 2500 women with CAC>0 would provide 45% of the benefit (+501 life-years), but CAC measurement would cost $2.25 million and cause 9 radiation-induced cancers. Treat all was preferable to CAC screening in this scenario and across a broad range of other scenarios (CHD risk, 2.5%-15%) when statin assumptions were favorable ($0.13 per pill and no quality of life penalty). When statin assumptions were less favorable ($1.00 per pill and disutility=0.00384), CAC screening with statin treatment for persons with CAC>0 was cost-effective (<$50 000 per quality-adjusted life-year) in this scenario, in 55-year-old men with CHD risk 7.5%, and in other intermediate risk scenarios (CHD risk, 5%-10%). Our results were critically sensitive to statin cost and disutility and relatively robust to other assumptions. Alternate CAC treatment thresholds (>100 or >300) were generally not cost-effective.CAC testing in intermediate risk patients can be cost-effective but only if statins are costly or significantly affect quality of life.
Project description:ImportanceBesides age, other discriminators of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk are needed in older adults.ObjectivesTo examine the predictive ability of coronary artery calcium (CAC) score vs age for incident ASCVD and how risk prediction changes by adding CAC score and removing only age from prediction models.Design, setting, and participantsWe conducted an analysis of pooled US population-based studies, including the Framingham Heart Study, the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, and the Cardiovascular Health Study. Results were compared with 2 European cohorts, the Rotterdam Study and the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study. Participants underwent CAC scoring between 1998 and 2006 using cardiac computed tomography. The participants included adults older than 60 years without known ASCVD at baseline.ExposuresCoronary artery calcium scores.Main outcomes and measuresIncident ASCVD events including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.ResultsThe study included 4778 participants from 3 US cohorts, with a mean age of 70.1 years; 2582 (54.0%) were women, and 2431 (50.9%) were nonwhite. Over 11 years of follow-up (44?152 person-years), 405 CHD and 228 stroke events occurred. Coronary artery calcium score (vs age) had a greater association with incident CHD (C statistic, 0.733 vs 0.690; C statistics difference, 0.043; 95% CI of difference, 0.009-0.075) and modestly improved prediction of incident stroke (C statistic, 0.695 vs 0.670; C statistics difference, 0.025; 95% CI of difference, -0.015 to 0.064). Adding CAC score to models including traditional cardiovascular risk factors, with only age being removed, provided improved discrimination for incident CHD (C statistic, 0.735 vs 0.703; C statistics difference, 0.032; 95% CI of difference, 0.002-0.062) but not for stroke. Coronary artery calcium score was more likely than age to provide higher category-free net reclassification improvement among participants who experienced an ASCVD event (0.390; 95% CI, 0.312-0.467 vs 0.08; 95% CI -0.001 to 0.181) and to result in more accurate reclassification of risk for ASCVD events among these individuals. The findings were similar in the 2 European cohorts (n?=?4990).Conclusions and relevanceCoronary artery calcium may be an alternative marker besides age to better discriminate between lower and higher CHD risk in older adults. Whether CAC score can assist in guiding the decision to initiate statin treatment for primary prevention in older adults requires further investigation.
Project description:Background The utility of a given pretest probability score in predicting obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is population dependent. Previous studies investigating the additive value of coronary artery calcium (CAC) on pretest probability scores were predominantly limited to Western populations. This retrospective study seeks to evaluate the CAD Consortium (CAD2) model in a mixed Asian cohort within Singapore with stable chest pain and to evaluate the incremental value of CAC in predicting obstructive CAD. Methods and Results Patients who underwent cardiac computed tomography and had chest pain were included. The CAD2 clinical model comprised of age, sex, symptom typicality, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking status and was compared with the CAD2 extended model that added CAC to assess the incremental value of CAC scoring, as well as to the corresponding locally calibrated local assessment of the heart models. A total of 522 patients were analyzed (mean age 54±11 years, 43.1% female). The CAD2 clinical model obtained an area under the curve of 0.718 (95% CI, 0.668-0.767). The inclusion of CAC score improved the area under the curve to 0.896 (95% CI, 0.867-0.925) in the CAD2 models and from 0.767 (95% CI, 0.721-0.814) to 0.926 (95% CI, 0.900-0.951) in the local assessment of the heart models. The locally calibrated local assessment of the heart models showed better discriminative performance than the corresponding CAD2 models (P<0.05 for all). Conclusions The CAD2 model was validated in a symptomatic mixed Asian cohort and local calibration further improved performance. CAC scoring provided significant incremental value in predicting obstructive CAD.
Project description:BackgroundThe use of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk to personalize systolic blood pressure (SBP) treatment goals is a topic of increasing interest. Therefore, we studied whether coronary artery calcium (CAC) can further guide the allocation of anti-hypertensive treatment intensity.MethodsWe included 3733 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) with SBP between 120 and 179 mm Hg. Within subgroups categorized by both SBP (120-139 mm Hg, 140-159 mm Hg, and 160-179 mm Hg) and estimated 10-year ASCVD risk (using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Assocation pooled-cohort equations), we compared multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for the composite outcome of incident ASCVD or heart failure after further stratifying by CAC (0, 1-100, or >100). We estimated 10-year number-needed-to-treat for an intensive SBP goal of 120 mm Hg by applying the treatment benefit recorded in meta-analyses to event rates within CAC strata.ResultsThe mean age was 65 years, and 642 composite events took place over a median of 10.2 years. In persons with SBP <160 mm Hg, CAC stratified risk for events. For example, among those with an ASCVD risk of <15% and who had an SBP of either 120 to 139 mm Hg or 140 to 159 mm Hg, respectively, we found increasing hazard ratios for events with CAC 1 to 100 (1.7 [95% confidence interval, 1.0-2.6] or 2.0 [1.1-3.8]) and CAC >100 (3.0 [1.8-5.0] or 5.7 [2.9-11.0]), all relative to CAC=0. There appeared to be no statistical association between CAC and events when SBP was 160 to 179 mm Hg, irrespective of ASCVD risk level. Estimated 10-year number-needed-to-treat for a SBP goal of 120mmHg varied substantially according to CAC levels when predicted ASCVD risk <15% and SBP <160mmHg (eg, 10-year number-needed-to-treat of 99 for CAC=0 and 24 for CAC>100, when SBP 120-139mm Hg). However, few participants with ASCVD risk <5% had elevated CAC. Furthermore, 10-year number-needed-to-treat estimates were consistently low and varied less among CAC strata when SBP was 160 to 179 mm Hg or when ASCVD risk was ≥15% at any SBP level.ConclusionsCombined CAC imaging and assessment of global ASCVD risk has the potential to guide personalized SBP goals (eg, choosing a traditional goal of 140 or a more intensive goal of 120 mm Hg), particularly among adults with an estimated ASCVD risk of 5% to 15% and prehypertension or mild hypertension.
Project description:General diet and lifestyle are considered to have an effect on levels of atherosclerosis but previous studies have shown inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to investigate whether macronutrient intake, physical activity and depressive symptoms are associated with progression of preclinical atherosclerosis in healthy Korean adults.A total of 2623 individuals from Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Health Screening Center in South Korea were enrolled between 2010 and 2012 and had follow-up at 2013. Every participant received a non-enhanced coronary computed tomography (CT) and completed questionnaires for food intake frequency, depression and physical activity levels. The study population was divided into two groups according to CAC progression, namely CAC group (CAC score >0) or non-CAC group (CAC score ≤ 0), and were compared according to macronutrient intake, degree of depressive symptoms and physical activity.A total of 2175 subjects were eligible for the analysis and among them, 592 subjects had progression of CAC. Total energy, carbohydrate and fat intake showed significant differences between the two groups (p-values of 0.01, 0.021 and 0.016 respectively). However, levels of protein intake did not vary for the two groups (p = 0.286). Depressive symptoms and extent of physical activity were similar between the two groups. Multivariate analysis was conducted with adjustment for possible confounding factors. The hazard ratios for CAC progression were not different according to macronutrient intake, degree of depressive symptoms and physical activity.In this large relatively healthy population based observational study, CAC progression showed no significant association with total energy intake, proportion of macronutrient intake, depressive symptom and physical activity.
Project description:ObjectiveCoronary artery calcium score and glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c) are both considered risk factors for coronary heart disease. However, the relationship between coronary artery calcium score and HbA1c is still unclear. Consequently, the present study was undertaken to explore HbA1c association with coronary artery calcium score progression in South Korea.MethodsThis study is a secondary analysis based on a retrospective cohort study in which 8151 participants received Health examination kits at the Health Promotion Center, Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, South Korea, from March 1, 2003-December 31, 2013. Cox proportional-hazards regression model was then used to evaluate the independent relationship between HbA1c and coronary artery calcium score progression.ResultsAfter adjusting potential confounding factors (age, sex, BMI, height, weight, SBP, DBP, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, smoking status, alcohol consumption, reflux esophagitis status, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease), it was revealed that there was a nonlinear relationship between HbA1c and coronary artery calcium score progression, while the scoring point was 5.8%. The effect size was 2.06 to the left of the inflection point, while the 95% CI was 1.85 to 2.29. Whereas, the effect size was 1.04, on the right side of the inflection point while 95% CI was 0.99 to1.10.ConclusionThe relationship between HbA1c and coronary artery calcium score progression is nonlinear. HbA1c is positively related to coronary artery calcium score progression when HbA1c level was less than 5.8%.
Project description:BackgroundCoronary artery calcium score (CACS) is an established marker of coronary artery disease (CAD) and has been extensively used to stratify risk in asymptomatic individuals. However, the value of CACS in predicting plaque morphology in patients with advanced CAD is less established. The present analysis aims to assess the association between CACS and plaque characteristics detected by near-infrared spectroscopy-intravascular ultrasound (NIRS-IVUS) imaging in patients with obstructive CAD.MethodsSeventy patients with obstructive CAD underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and 3-vessel NIRS-IVUS imaging were included in the present analysis. The CTA data were used to measure the CACS in the entire coronary tree and the segments assessed by NIRS-IVUS, and these estimations were associated with the NIRS-IVUS measurements at a patient and segment level.ResultsIn total, 65 patients (188 segments) completed the study protocol and were included in the analysis. A weak correlation was noted between the CACS, percent atheroma volume (r = 0.271, P = .002), and the calcific burden measured by NIRS-IVUS (r = 0.648, P < .001) at patient-level analysis. Conversely, there was no association between the CACS and the lipid content, or the incidence of high-risk plaques detected by NIRS. Linear regression analysis at the segment level demonstrated an association between the CACS and the total atheroma volume (coefficient, 0.087; 95% CI, 0.024-0.149; P = .008) and the calcific burden (coefficient, 0.117; 95% CI, 0.048-0.186; P = .001), but there was no association between the lipid content or the incidence of high-risk lesions.ConclusionsIn patients with obstructive CAD, the CACS is not associated with the lipid content or plaque phenotypes. These findings indicate that the CACS may have a limited value for screening or stratifying cardiovascular risk in symptomatic patients with a high probability of CAD.
Project description:We assessed the relationships among adult height, coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events, and atrial fibrillation (AFib) in a multiethnic cohort. We used race/ethnicity-specific height (dichotomized by median value and in quartiles) as the predictor variable within the 4 racial/ethnic groups in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (n = 6,814). After a mean of 10.2 years of follow-up (2000-2012), 556 ASCVD events (8.2%) and 539 AFib events (7.9%) occurred. Adult height was not associated with prevalent CAC score (ln(CAC + 1) or categories). Tall stature (i.e., race/ethnicity-specific height ?median) had a significant but opposite association with future ASCVD and AFib (hazard ratios were 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.56, 0.92) and 1.38 (95% confidence interval: 1.07, 1.79), respectively). We observed a gradient-response but opposite association between quartiles of race/ethnicity-specific height and ASCVD/AFib events in our multivariable models. A formal test of interaction between race/ethnicity-specific height and sex was not significant in the ASCVD model (P = 0.78) but was significant in the AFib model (P = 0.03). Tall stature was associated (in a gradient-response fashion) with reduced risk of ASCVD events and increased risk of AFib. Adult height may signal interactions between genetic and environmental factors and may provide risk information independent of current traditional risk factors and CAC score.
Project description:ASCVD are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among Globe. Evaluation of patients' comprehensive and personalized risk provides risk management strategies and preventive interventions to achieve gain for patients. Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation Score (SCORE) are two well studied risk scoring models, however, can miss some (20-35%) of future cardiovascular events. To obtain more accurate risk assessment recalibrating risk models through utilizing novel risk markers have been studied in last 3 decades and both ESC and AHA recommends assessing Family History, hs-CRP, CACS, ABI, and CIMT. Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease (SCVD) has been conceptually developed for investigating gradually progressing asymptomatic development of atherosclerosis and among these novel risk markers it has been well established by literature that CACS having highest improvement in risk assessment. This review study mainly selectively discussing studies with CACS measurement. A CACS = 0 can down-stratify risk of patients otherwise treated or treatment eligible before test and can reduce unnecessary interventions and cost, whereas CACS ≥ 100 is equivalent to statin treatment threshold of ≥ 7.5% risk level otherwise statin ineligible before test. Since inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, dyslipidemia and ongoing endothelial damage due to hypertension could lead to CAC, ASCVD linked with comorbidities. Recent cohort studies have shown a CACS 100-300 as a sign of increased cancer risk. Physical activity, dietary factors, cigarette use, alcohol consumption, metabolic health, family history of CHD, aging, exposures of neighborhood environment and non-cardiovascular comorbidities can determine CACs changes.
Project description:BackgroundFamilial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a monogenic disease characterized by a high concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This population is considered to be at high cardiovascular risk; however, disease evolution remains heterogeneous among individuals. The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is currently the best predictor of incidental major cardiovascular events in primary prevention in the general population. Few studies have described the CAC score in FH populations.MethodsThe objective of our study was to determine the predictors of the CAC score in FH patients. We retrospectively studied FH patients followed at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) Lipid Clinic who had a cardiac scan for CAC score, using the Agatston method, between 2013 and 2019.ResultsFinal analysis included 62 FH patients. Mean age was 48 ± 14 years old, and 48% were men. Overall, 25 patients had a CAC score of 0 (40%), and 37 patients had a nonzero CAC score (60%). Sex, age, Montreal-FH-SCORE (MFHS), waist circumference, and statin exposure in years were significant predictors (P ≤ 0,05) of a nonzero CAC score in a univariate model. MFHS was the only factor that remained significant in a multivariate model (odds ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 1.11-1.61, P = 0.002).ConclusionsIn conclusion, we found that MFHS, which includes traditional cardiovascular risk factors, was a predictor of a nonzero CAC score in FH patients. This finding suggests that MFHS may play a role in determining the cardiovascular risk and therefore the intensity of treatment in FH patients.