Coronary artery calcification score as tool for risk assessment among families with premature coronary artery disease.

Introduction: There is discussion about incorporating a family history (FamHis) of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) in risk score algorithms. However, FamHis provides information on individual risk. Coronary artery calcification score (CACS) is a metric of atherosclerosis that may determine the individual risk within families at high risk of premature CAD.

Treatment of asymptomatic adults with elevated coronary calcium scores with atorvastatin, vitamin C, and vitamin E: the St. Francis Heart Study randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: We sought to determine whether lipid-lowering therapy and antioxidants retard the progression of coronary calcification and prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events.

Background: The electron beam computed tomography-derived coronary calcium score predicts coronary disease events. Small, uncontrolled studies suggest that vigorous lipid-lowering therapy slows progression of coronary calcification and prevents coronary artery disease events, but controlled, scientific demonstration of these effects is lacking.

Coronary calcification, coronary disease risk factors, C-reactive protein, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events: the St. Francis Heart Study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic accuracy of electron beam computed tomographic (CT) scanning of the coronary arteries and the relationship of coronary calcification to standard coronary disease risk factors and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the prediction of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events in apparently healthy middle-age persons.

Background: As a screening test for coronary artery disease (CAD), electron beam CT scanning remains controversial.

Methods: In a prospective, population-based study, 4,903 asymptomatic persons age 50 to 70 years underwent electron beam CT scanning of the coronary arteries.

Calcified coronary artery plaque measurement with cardiac CT in population-based studies: standardized protocol of Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study.

Calcified coronary artery plaque, measured at cardiac computed tomography (CT), is a predictor of cardiovascular disease and may play an increasing role in cardiovascular disease risk assessment. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute are population-based studies in which calcified coronary artery plaque was measured with electron-beam and multi-detector row CT and a standardized protocol in 6814 (MESA) and 3044 (CARDIA study) participants. The studies were approved by the appropriate institutional review board from the study site or agency, and written informed consent was obtained from each participant.

Relation of thoracic aortic and aortic valve calcium to coronary artery calcium and risk assessment.

Aortic calcium, aortic valve calcium (AVC), and coronary artery calcium (CAC) have been associated with cardiovascular event risk. We examined the prevalence of thoracic aortic calcium (TAC) and AVC in relation to the presence and extent of CAC, cardiovascular risk factors, and estimated risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). In 2,740 persons without known CHD aged 20 to 79 years, CAC was assessed by electron beam- or multidetector-computed tomography.

Beyond traditional risk factor analysis for coronary artery disease: the case for coronary artery calcium assessment with electron beam computed tomography.

Coronary artery disease is often asymptomatic, leading to inefficient detection. Although coronary artery disease is associated with multiple risk factors, better methods for detection are needed. The quantity of coronary artery calcium as detected with electron beam computed tomography is indicative of plaque mass, and the likelihood of coronary obstruction and future coronary events is independent of other risk factors.

Continuous probabilistic prediction of angiographically significant coronary artery disease using electron beam tomography.

Background: We sought to incorporate electron beam tomography-derived calcium scores in a model for prediction of angiographically significant coronary artery disease (CAD). Such a model could greatly facilitate clinical triage in symptomatic patients with no known CAD.

Methods And Results: We examined 1851 patients with suspected CAD who underwent coronary angiography for clinical indications.