Wong ND; Kouwabunpat D; Vo AN; Detrano RC; Eisenberg H; Goel M; Tobis JM.
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Coronary
calcium and atherosclerosis by ultrafast computed tomography in
asymptomatic men and women: relation to age and risk factors.
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American Heart Journal, 1994 Feb, 127(2):422-30.(UI: 94127376)
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We evaluated 675 men and 190 women who had no symptoms or history of
clinical CHD, to determine the prevalence and risk factor correlates of
CAC deposits as a marker of atherosclerosis. Measurements were taken
noninvasively by ultrafast CT. The presence and extent of CAC deposits
as measured by ultrafast CT was determined in all subjects, who also
received personal and family medical history and risk factor
questionnaire. The prevalence of CAC deposits increased significantly
with age, ranging from 15% and 30% in men and women, respectively, less
than 40 years of age to 93% and 75% in those aged > or = 70 years. |
Prevalence and total score
also increased by the number of risk factors present, although in those
aged > 60 years a high prevalence (> 80% in men) of calcium was
present regardless of the presence of risk factors. In multiple
logistic regression, age, male gender, hypertension, diabetes,
hypercholesterolemia, and obesity were independently associated with
CAC deposits. These results suggest a high prevalence of
atherosclerosis with increasing age and the presence of risk factors in
men and women who have no symptoms. Studies to determine the prognostic
value of CAC in individuals with no symptoms are needed to determine
which populations may benefit most from CAC deposit screening. |