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

Abstract

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.

• Authors: Ryoko Mitsutake, Hideya Niimura, Shin-ichiro Miura, Bo Zhang, Atsushi Iwata, Hiroaki Nishikawa, Akira Kawamura, Koichiro Kumagai, Kazuyuki Shirai, Akira Matsunaga, Keijiro Saku
• Journal: Circulation journal : official journal of the Japanese Circulation Society (Circ J) Vol. 70 Issue 9 Pg. 1122-7 (Sep 2006) ISSN: 1346-9843 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 16936422 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hemoglobin A
• Cholesterol

Topics

• Aged
• Asian People
• Calcinosis (blood, diagnostic imaging)
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Coronary Stenosis (blood, diagnostic imaging)
• Female
• Hemoglobin A (analysis)
• Humans
• Japan
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Tomography, Spiral Computed