Subclinical atherosclerosis imaging comes of age: coronary artery calcium in primary prevention.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

The goal of this review is to update the contributions of subclinical atherosclerosis imaging of coronary artery calcified plaque (CAC) to the primary prevention of coronary artery disease.

RECENT FINDINGS:

Recent articles have increased support for the following: superiority of CAC determined risk to conventional risk factor-based paradigms, reclassification of risk by CAC, serial CAC scanning to assess the efficacy of therapy, CAC evaluation of high-risk groups (diabetes and other disease states characterized by inflammation), and redefinition of normal and abnormal lipids, ideal treatment goals and residual risk, as well as statin potency.

SUMMARY:

The paradigm shifts implicit in the supremacy of CAC herald a transformation in primary prevention from conventional risk factor paradigms to the evaluation of the disease itself by subclinical atherosclerosis imaging.

• Authors: Harvey S Hecht
• Journal: Current opinion in cardiology (Curr Opin Cardiol) Vol. 27 Issue 5 Pg. 508-14 (Sep 2012) ISSN: 1531-7080 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22872131 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Area Under Curve
• Atherosclerosis
• Calcinosis
• Coronary Artery Disease (prevention & control)
• Humans
• Odds Ratio
• Primary Prevention (methods)
• Risk Assessment
• Risk Factors
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed