Expedited Review
Coronary Calcification, Coronary Disease Risk Factors, C-Reactive Protein, and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events: The St. Francis Heart Study

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2005.02.088Get rights and content
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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.

Results

At 4.3 years, follow-up was available in 4,613 participants (94%), and 119 had sustained at least one ASCVD event. Subjects with ASCVD events had higher baseline coronary calcium scores (median [interquartile range], Agatston method) than those without events: 384 (127, 800) versus 10 (0, 86) (p < 0.0001). For coronary calcium score threshold ≥100 versus <100, relative risk (95% confidence interval) was 9.6 (6.7 to 13.9) for all ASCVD events, 11.1 (7.3 to 16.7) for all CAD events, and 9.2 (4.9 to 17.3) for non-fatal myocardial infarction and death. The coronary calcium score predicted CAD events independently of standard risk factors and CRP (p = 0.004), was superior to the Framingham risk index in the prediction of events (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.79 ± 0.03 vs. 0.69 ± 0.03, p = 0.0006), and enhanced stratification of those falling into the Framingham categories of low, intermediate, and high risk (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The electron beam CT coronary calcium score predicts CAD events independent of standard risk factors, more accurately than standard risk factors and CRP, and refines Framingham risk stratification.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

ASCVD
atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
CAD
coronary artery disease
CI
confidence interval
CRP
C-reactive protein
CT
computed tomography/tomographic
HDL
high-density lipoprotein
LDL
low-density lipoprotein
MI
myocardial infarction
ROC
receiver-operating characteristic

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Supported by a grant from the St. Francis Hospital Foundation. Dr. Goodman owns shares of General Electric, which purchased Imatron approximately three years ago.