The Nonsyndromic Ascending Thoracic Aorta in a Population-Based Setting: A 5-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Prospective data on the clinical course of the ascending thoracic aorta are lacking.

Objectives: This study sought to estimate growth rates of the ascending aorta and to evaluate occurrences of adverse aortic events (AAEs)-that is, thoracic aortic ruptures, type A aortic dissections, and thoracic aortic-related deaths.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study from the population-based, multicenter, randomized DANCAVAS (Danish Cardiovascular Screening trials) I and II, participants underwent cardiovascular risk assessments including electrocardiogram-gated, noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scans.

Individual risk assessment for rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm using artificial intelligence.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a prediction tool to identify abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) at increased risk of rupture incorporating demographic, clinical, imaging, and medication data using artificial intelligence (AI).

Design: A development and validation study for individual prognosis using AI in a case-control design.

Methods: From two Danish hospitals, all available ruptured AAA cases between January 2009 and December 2016 were included in a ratio of 1:2 with elective surgery controls.

Impact of air pollution and noise exposure on cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality: A systematic review.

Background: The relationship between environmental pollutants, specifically air pollution and noise, and cardiovascular disease is well-recognized. However, their combined effects on cardiovascular health are not fully explored.

Objectives: To review evidence on the correlation between air pollution and noise exposure and cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality.

Grading of Aortic Valve Calcification Severity and Risk Stratification in Aortic Stenosis.

Background: Thresholds of aortic valve calcification (AVC) to define hemodynamically moderate aortic stenosis (AS) from mild are lacking. We aimed to establish a novel grading classification of AVC as quantified by computed tomography and determine its prognostic value.

Methods And Results: This study included 915 patients with at least mild AS (mean age 70±12 years, 30% women) from a multicenter prospective registry.

Statistical Analysis Plan for the AIRCARD Study: Individual Long-Term Air and Noise Pollution Exposure and Cardiovascular Disease Incidence and Mortality - A Prospective Cohort Study Utilizing DANCAVAS and VIVA Screening Trials.

Introduction: The AIRCARD study is designed to investigate the relationship between long-term exposure to air and noise pollution and cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality. We aim to conduct a robust prospective cohort analysis assessing the cumulative and differential impacts of air and noise pollution exposure on cardiovascular disease and mortality. This study will adjust for relevant confounders, including traditional cardiovascular risk factors, socioeconomic indicators, and lipid-lowering agents.

User-defined outcomes of the Danish cardiovascular screening (DANCAVAS) trial: A post hoc analyses of a population-based, randomised controlled trial.

Background: The Danish cardiovascular screening (DANCAVAS) trial, a nationwide trial designed to investigate the impact of cardiovascular screening in men, did not decrease all-cause mortality, an outcome decided by the investigators. However, the target group may have varied preferences. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether men aged 65 to 74 years requested a CT-based cardiovascular screening examination and to assess its impact on outcomes determined by their preferences.

Insulin resistance is associated with high-risk coronary artery plaque composition in asymptomatic men between 65 and 75 years and no diabetes: A DANCAVAS cross-sectional sub-study.

Background And Aims: Insulin resistance (IR) and pre-diabetes are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to investigate vulnerable plaque composition in relation to IR and pre-diabetes in asymptomatic non-diabetic men.

Methods: All participants underwent a contrast-enhanced coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to evaluate coronary artery plaque burden and plaque composition (necrotic core, dense calcium, fibrotic and fibrous-fatty volume).

Combination of computed tomography angiography with coronary artery calcium score for improved diagnosis of coronary artery disease: a collaborative meta-analysis of stable chest pain patients referred for invasive coronary angiography.

Objectives: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has higher diagnostic accuracy than coronary artery calcium (CAC) score for detecting obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with stable chest pain, while the added diagnostic value of combining CCTA with CAC is unknown. We investigated whether combining coronary CCTA with CAC score can improve the diagnosis of obstructive CAD compared with CCTA alone.

Methods: A total of 2315 patients (858 women, 37%) aged 61.

Cost effectiveness of population screening vs. no screening for cardiovascular disease: the Danish Cardiovascular Screening trial (DANCAVAS).

Aims: A recent trial has shown that screening of men for cardiovascular disease (CVD) may reduce all-cause mortality. This study assesses the cost effectiveness of such screening vs. no screening from the perspective of European healthcare systems.

Five-Year Outcomes of the Danish Cardiovascular Screening (DANCAVAS) Trial.

Background: Limited data suggest a benefit of population-based screening for cardiovascular disease with respect to the risk of death.

Methods: We performed a population-based, parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial involving men 65 to 74 years of age living in 15 Danish municipalities. The participants were randomly assigned in a 1:2 ratio to undergo screening (the invited group) or not to undergo screening (the control group) for subclinical cardiovascular disease.

Individualized prediction of risk of ascending aortic syndromes.

Objectives: Although ascending aortic diameter changes acutely after dissection, recommendation for prophylactic surgery of thoracic aortic aneurysms rely on data from dissected aortas. In this case-control study we aim to identify risk markers for acute and chronic aortic syndromes of the ascending aorta (ACAS-AA). Furthermore, to develop a predictive model for ACAS-AA.

Vitamin K2 and D in Patients With Aortic Valve Calcification: A Randomized Double-Blinded Clinical Trial.

Background: Menaquinone-7 (MK-7), also known as vitamin K2, is a cofactor for the carboxylation of proteins involved in the inhibition of arterial calcification and has been suggested to reduce the progression rate of aortic valve calcification (AVC) in patients with aortic stenosis.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial, men from the community with an AVC score >300 arbitrary units (AU) on cardiac noncontrast computer tomography were randomized to daily treatment with tablet 720 µg MK-7 plus 25 µg vitamin D or matching placebo for 24 months. The primary outcome was the change in AVC score.

Computed tomography angiography versus Agatston score for diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with stable chest pain: individual patient data meta-analysis of the international COME-CCT Consortium.

Objectives: There is conflicting evidence about the comparative diagnostic accuracy of the Agatston score versus computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients with suspected obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

Purpose: To determine whether CTA is superior to the Agatston score in the diagnosis of CAD.

Methods: In total 2452 patients with stable chest pain and a clinical indication for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) for suspected CAD were included by the Collaborative Meta-analysis of Cardiac CT (COME-CCT) Consortium.

Association of Left Atrial Size Measured by Non-Contrast Computed Tomography with Cardiovascular Risk Factors-The Danish Cardiovascular Screening Trial (DANCAVAS).

Left atrium (LA) size is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of LA enlargement measured by non-contrast CT (NCCT) with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Individuals aged 60-75 years from the population-based multicentre Danish Cardiovascular Screening (DANCAVAS) trial were included in this cross-sectional study.

Mitral Annulus Calcification and Cardiac Conduction Disturbances: A DANCAVAS Sub-study.

Background: Due to its location very close to the bundle of His, mitral annulus calcification (MAC) might be associated with the development of atrioventricular (AV) conduction disturbances. This study assessed the association between MAC and AV conduction disturbances identified by cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) use and electrocardiographic parameters. The association between MAC and traditional cardiovascular risk factors was also assessed.

Myositis-specific autoantibodies and QTc changes by ECG in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate cardiac involvement detected by ECG in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and to evaluate possible associations between the autoantibody profile and ECG changes in these patients.

Methods: In a Scandinavian cross-sectional study, patients were included from two Danish centres and one Swedish centre. Resting 12-lead ECG was investigated in 261 patients with IIM compared with 102 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 48 healthy controls (HCs).

Aortic valve calcification among elderly males from the general population, associated echocardiographic findings, and clinical implications.

Aims: Aortic valve calcification (AVC) detected by non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) associates with morbidity and mortality in patients with aortic valve stenosis. However, the importance of AVC in the general population is sparsely evaluated. We intend to describe the associations between AVC score on NCCT and echocardiographic findings as left atrial (LA) dilatation, left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, aortic valve area (AVA), peak velocity, mean gradient, and aortic valve replacement (AVR) in a population with AVC scores ≥300 AU.

Prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging after first-line coronary computed tomography angiography: A multi-center cohort study.

Purpose: Further diagnostic testing may be required after a coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) showing suspected coronary stenosis. Whether myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) provides further prognostic information post-CTA remains debated. We evaluated the prognosis for patients completing CTA stratified for post-CTA diagnostic work-up using real-world data.

Cross-sectional study of aortic valve calcification and cardiovascular risk factors in older Danish men.

Objective: Aortic valve calcification (AVC) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) are predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), presumably sharing risk factors. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence and extent of AVC in a large population of men aged 60-74 years and to assess the association between AVC and cardiovascular risk factors including CAC and biomarkers.

Methods: Participants from the DANish CArdioVAscular Screening and intervention trial (DANCAVAS) with AVC and CAC scores and without previous valve replacement were included in the study.

Prevalence and extent of coronary artery calcification in the middle-aged and elderly population.

Aims: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) measured on cardiac computed tomography (CT) is an important risk marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and has been included in the prevention guidelines. The aim of this study was to describe CAC score reference values in the middle-aged and elderly population and to develop a freely available CAC calculator.

Methods And Results: All participants from two population-based cardiac CT screening cohorts (DanRisk and DANCAVAS) were included.

Prognostic importance of left atrial size measured by non-contrast cardiac computed tomography - A DANCAVAS study.

Background: Enlargement of left atrium (LA) is a valuable marker of cardiovascular events, and LA size is readily available while performing non-contrast cardiac computed tomography (NCCT) for preventive purposes. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of a single LA area from NCCT in a population-based cohort.

Method: Mainly men aged 60-75 years from DANCAVAS were included.

Individual, expected diameters of the ascending aorta and prevalence of dilations in a study-population aged 60-74 years: a DANCAVAS substudy.

To determine individual, expected normal diameters of the ascending aorta (AAo) and prevalence of dilations based upon an absolute cut-off point (≥ 40 mm) and individual cut-off point (≥ 25% than expected normal). Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained in 14,993 individuals (95.0% male, mean age 67.