Coronary artery calcification and ECG pattern of left ventricular hypertrophy or strain identify different healthy individuals at risk.

Purpose: To improve risk stratification for development of ischaemic heart disease, several markers have been proposed. Both the presence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and ECG pattern of left ventricular hypertrophy/strain have been shown to provide independent prognostic information. In this study, we investigated the association between established risk factors, ECG measurements and the presence of coronary artery calcification.

Method: A random sample of healthy men and women aged 50 or 60 years were invited to the screening study. Established risk factors were measured. A noncontrast computed tomographic (CT) scan was performed to assess the CAC score. ECG analysis included left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) using the Sokolow-Lyon criteria and the Cornell voltage × QRS duration product, and strain pattern based on ST segment depression and T-wave abnormalities. The association between the presence of CAC, clinical variables and ECG findings was evaluated by means of multivariate logistic regression.

Results: Of 1825 invited individuals, 1226 accepted the screening. The prevalence of hypertension was 50%. Hypertensive patients frequently had LVH and/or strain when compared with nonhypertensive individuals (21 vs. 14%, P < 0.0001) as well as CAC (52 vs. 38%, P < 0.0001). In multiple logistic regressions analyses, there was no association between the ECG abnormalities and the presence of CAC.

Conclusion: There appears to be no relationship between CAC and ECG-suspected LVH and/or strain. We propose that these markers identify different individuals at risk and together may have additive prognostic value.