BACKGROUND Postmenopausal women face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD)due to estrogen withdrawal,which exacerbates traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia,glucose intolerance,and hy...BACKGROUND Postmenopausal women face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD)due to estrogen withdrawal,which exacerbates traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia,glucose intolerance,and hypertension.Coronary Artery Calcium Score(CACS),a well-established marker of subclinical atherosclerosis,has emerged as a key predictor of adverse cardiovascular events.Despite the recognized association between menopause and heightened CVD risk,there remains a paucity of literature exploring the specific role of menopause in influencing CACS and its implications for cardiovascular morbidity and morta lity.AIM To examine the interplay between menopause,CACS,and cardiovascular health by synthesizing existing literature.METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar,focusing on studies that analyzed CACS in postmenopausal women,including the influence of factors such as hormone therapy,Triglyceride-Glucose index,bone mineral density,lipid metabolism,and type-1 diabetes.Data extraction and synthesis emphasized key patterns,metabolic influences,and potential mechanisms driving coronary calcification in menopause.RESULTS Findings suggest that menopause contributes to increased CACS through multiple pathways,including altered lipid metabolism,insulin resistance,and arterial stiffness.Additionally,premature menopause is associated with higher CACS and elevated CVD risk.While hormone replacement therapy(HRT)appears to have a protective effect against coronary calcification,further research is needed to clarify its long-term benefits and risks.CONCLUSION We introduce a novel framework combining CACS with metabolic and hormonal markers,and discuss estrogendriven mechanisms and HRT considerations in postmenopausal cardiovascular risk.This review underscores the need for targeted cardiovascular risk assessment in postmenopausal women,integrating CACS with other metabolic markers to improve early detection and prevention of CVD in this high-risk population.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of coronary artery calcium score(CACS) on low-dose non-gated chest CT(ngCCT).METHODS: Sixty consecutive individuals(30 males; 73 ± 7 years) scheduled for risk stratification by me...AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of coronary artery calcium score(CACS) on low-dose non-gated chest CT(ngCCT).METHODS: Sixty consecutive individuals(30 males; 73 ± 7 years) scheduled for risk stratification by means of unenhanced ECG-triggered cardiac computed to-mography(gCCT) underwent additional unenhanced ngCCT. All CT scans were performed on a 64-slice CT scanner(Somatom Sensation 64 Cardiac, Siemens, Germany). CACS was calculated using conventional methods/scores(Volume, Mass, Agatston) as previ-ously described in literature. The CACS value obtained were compared. The Mayo Clinic classification was used to stratify cardiovascular risk based on Agatston CACS. Differences and correlations between the two methods were compared. A P-value < 0.05 was considered sig-nificant.RESULTS: Mean CACS values were significantly higher for gCCT as compared to ngCCT(Volume: 418 ± 747 vs 332 ± 597; Mass: 89 ± 151 vs 78 ± 141; Agatston: 481 ± 854 vs 428 ± 776; P < 0.05). The correlation between the two values was always very high(Volume: r = 0.95; Mass: r = 0.97; Agatston: r = 0.98). Of the 6 patients with 0 Agatston score on gCCT, 2(33%) showed an Agatston score > 0 in the ngCCT. Of the 3 patients with 1-10 Agatston score on gCCT, 1(33%) showed an Agatston score of 0 in the ngCCT. Overall, 23(38%) patients were reclassified in a different car-diovascular risk category, mostly(18/23; 78%) shifting to a lower risk in the ngCCT. The estimated radiation dose was significantly higher for gCCT(DLP 115.8 ± 50.7 vs 83.8 ± 16.3; Effective dose 1.6 ± 0.7 mSv vs 1.2 ± 0.2 mSv; P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: CACS assessment is feasible on ngCCT; the variability of CACS values and the associated re-stratification of patients in cardiovascular risk groups should be taken into account.展开更多
Background Thalassemic patients demonstrate an increased rate of extracardiae vascular complications and increased carotid wall intima-media thickness （cIMT）, but very low prevalence of coronary artery disease （CAD...Background Thalassemic patients demonstrate an increased rate of extracardiae vascular complications and increased carotid wall intima-media thickness （cIMT）, but very low prevalence of coronary artery disease （CAD）. We investigated the atheroma burden by assessing the coronary artery calcium （CAC） and elMT in these patients. Methods We examined 37 patients with β-thalassemia and 150 healthy control volunteers with multi-detector computer tomography （CT） and ultrasonography to determine CAC score and cIMT, respectively. Results Propensity score matching （C-statistic： 0.88; 95% CI： 0.83-0.93） resulted in 27 pairs of patients; severe CAC was observed in 2 （7.4%） and 0 of β-thalassemia patients and healthy volunteers respectively （P = 0.5）. Median calcium score was 0 （0-0） in β-thalassemia patients and 0 （0-4） in healthy volunteers （P = 0.8）. Median intima-media thickness was higher in β-thalassemia patients compared to control group [0.45 （0.06-0.65） vs. 0.062 （0.054-0.086）; P = 0.04]. Conclusions Patients with β-thalassemia in comparison with healthy control subjects exhibit similar CAC score and increased cIMT. Our findings indicate a disparate rate of progression of atherosclerosis between coronary and extracardiac arteries in these patients lending support to the epidemiological evidence.展开更多
AIM To investigate the relationship between coronary calcium score(CCS) and vulnerable plaque/significant stenosis using coronary computed tomographic angiography(CCTA). METHODS CCTA was performed in 651 patients and ...AIM To investigate the relationship between coronary calcium score(CCS) and vulnerable plaque/significant stenosis using coronary computed tomographic angiography(CCTA). METHODS CCTA was performed in 651 patients and these patients were divided into the four groups(CCS 0, 1-100, 101-400 and > 400). We studied the incidence of high-risk plaque, including positive remodeling, low attenuation plaque, spotty calcification, and napkin-ring sign, and significant stenosis in each group. RESULTS High-risk plaque was found in 1.3%, 10.1%, 13.3% and 13.4% of patients with CCS 0, 1-100, 101-400 and > 400, respectively(P < 0.001). The difference was only significant for patients with zero CCS. The incidence of significant stenosis was 0.6%, 7.6%, 13.3% and 26.9% for each patient group, respectively(P < 0.001), which represented a significant stepwise increase as CCS increased. The combined incidence of high-risk plaque and significant stenosis was 1.9%, 17.7%, 26.9% and 40.3% in each patient group, respectively(P < 0.001), again representing a significant stepwise increase with CCS. The rate of major coronary event was 0%, 4.0%, 7.9% and 17.2% in each patient group, respectively(P < 0.001), another significant stepwise increase as CCS increased. CONCLUSION Stepwise increased risk of coronary events associated with increasing CCS is caused by increasing incidence of significant stenosis, while that of high-risk plaque remains the same.展开更多
Objective: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) would continue to concern medical society in the foreseeable future. Determining the extent of coronary luminal stenosis is a key factor in management of CAD. Methods presently...Objective: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) would continue to concern medical society in the foreseeable future. Determining the extent of coronary luminal stenosis is a key factor in management of CAD. Methods presently used are costly and pose certain dangers, ranging from nephrotoxicity to death. Long Pentraxin or Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) has been used to predict survival or atherosclerotic process, but not to identify coronary stenosis. Calcium Score has been used to this end with some success. Methods: Individuals with chronic stable angina, without evidence of Myocardial Infarction (MI), who were categorized as intermediate-risk after completing a treadmill exercise test, according to Duke Protocol, underwent cardiac catheterization. In addition, blood samples were drawn for coronary sinus PTX3, and also PTX3, uric acid, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), cholesterol, glucose and High-Density Lipo-protein (HDL) in peripheral circulation. Calcium Scores were calculated using Agatston Score and non-contrast multi-slice CT scan. Participants were divided according to the number of stenotic coronary arteries (patent, one-, two-and three-vessel disease). Results: We found that PTX3 levels in coronary sinus and femoral vein correlated with each other, after log-transforming the values. Also we found that PTX3 levels and Calcium Scores differed among individuals with triple-vessel involvement and individuals without significant stenosis in any of coronary arteries. No significant differences were observed, regarding hs-CRP levels. Conclusion: PTX3 levels in periphery correlate with those in coronary arteries, and this variable can be measured with a less invasive procedure. In addition to Calcium Score, PTX3 levels are different in our four groups. The combined contribution of PTX3 and calcium score may help us identify individuals with significant coronary artery stenosis without needing to perform cardiac catheterization in a select group of patients.展开更多
Background: Factors that can predict the presence and number of noncalcified coronary plaques (NCP) in Japanese patients with zero coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) essentially remain undefined. Methods and Result...Background: Factors that can predict the presence and number of noncalcified coronary plaques (NCP) in Japanese patients with zero coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) essentially remain undefined. Methods and Results: We assessed independent predictors of the presence and number of segments with NCP in 111 Japanese patients with zero CACS who underwent 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography at our hospital. Thirty five patients (32%) had NCP, and 24 patients (22%) had ≥ 2 NCPs. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that significant predictors for the presence of NCP were age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 - 1.11, p = 0.021), male (OR: 3.61, 95% CI 1.40 - 9.35, p = 0.008) and diabetes mellitus (OR: 3.10, 95% CI 1.02 - 9.45, p = 0.046), and those for the presence of ≥ 2 NCPs were age (OR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 - 1.15, p = 0.007) and a current smoking habit (OR: 5.09, 95% CI 1.00 - 25.74, p = 0.049). Multiple linear regression analysis identified advanced age, male gender and diabetes mellitus as independent predictors of the number of NCPs. A novel score calculated from the above four predictors showed moderate accuracy for a diagnosis of NCP and ≥ 2 NCPs, with areas under receiver operating curves of 0.738 and 0.736, respectively. Conclusions: Male Japanese patients with zero CACS, advanced age, diabetes mellitus and a current smoking habit might have NCPs.展开更多
Coronary artery calcium data and reporting system(CAC-DRS)is a recently introduced standardized reporting system for calcium scoring on computed tomography.CAC-DRS provides four risk categories(0,1,2 and 3)along with ...Coronary artery calcium data and reporting system(CAC-DRS)is a recently introduced standardized reporting system for calcium scoring on computed tomography.CAC-DRS provides four risk categories(0,1,2 and 3)along with treatment recommendations for each category.As with any other new reporting platform,CAC-DRS has both advantages and disadvantages.Improved communication,better clarity of details,organized management recommendations and utility in future research and education are the major strengths of CAC-DRS.It has many limitations such as questionable need for a new system,few missing components,use of a less accurate visual method and treatment suggestions based on expert opinion instead of clinical trials.In this contemporary review,we discuss the new reporting system CAC-DRS,its application,strengths and limitations and conclude with some remarks for the future.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Postmenopausal women face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD)due to estrogen withdrawal,which exacerbates traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia,glucose intolerance,and hypertension.Coronary Artery Calcium Score(CACS),a well-established marker of subclinical atherosclerosis,has emerged as a key predictor of adverse cardiovascular events.Despite the recognized association between menopause and heightened CVD risk,there remains a paucity of literature exploring the specific role of menopause in influencing CACS and its implications for cardiovascular morbidity and morta lity.AIM To examine the interplay between menopause,CACS,and cardiovascular health by synthesizing existing literature.METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar,focusing on studies that analyzed CACS in postmenopausal women,including the influence of factors such as hormone therapy,Triglyceride-Glucose index,bone mineral density,lipid metabolism,and type-1 diabetes.Data extraction and synthesis emphasized key patterns,metabolic influences,and potential mechanisms driving coronary calcification in menopause.RESULTS Findings suggest that menopause contributes to increased CACS through multiple pathways,including altered lipid metabolism,insulin resistance,and arterial stiffness.Additionally,premature menopause is associated with higher CACS and elevated CVD risk.While hormone replacement therapy(HRT)appears to have a protective effect against coronary calcification,further research is needed to clarify its long-term benefits and risks.CONCLUSION We introduce a novel framework combining CACS with metabolic and hormonal markers,and discuss estrogendriven mechanisms and HRT considerations in postmenopausal cardiovascular risk.This review underscores the need for targeted cardiovascular risk assessment in postmenopausal women,integrating CACS with other metabolic markers to improve early detection and prevention of CVD in this high-risk population.
文摘AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of coronary artery calcium score(CACS) on low-dose non-gated chest CT(ngCCT).METHODS: Sixty consecutive individuals(30 males; 73 ± 7 years) scheduled for risk stratification by means of unenhanced ECG-triggered cardiac computed to-mography(gCCT) underwent additional unenhanced ngCCT. All CT scans were performed on a 64-slice CT scanner(Somatom Sensation 64 Cardiac, Siemens, Germany). CACS was calculated using conventional methods/scores(Volume, Mass, Agatston) as previ-ously described in literature. The CACS value obtained were compared. The Mayo Clinic classification was used to stratify cardiovascular risk based on Agatston CACS. Differences and correlations between the two methods were compared. A P-value < 0.05 was considered sig-nificant.RESULTS: Mean CACS values were significantly higher for gCCT as compared to ngCCT(Volume: 418 ± 747 vs 332 ± 597; Mass: 89 ± 151 vs 78 ± 141; Agatston: 481 ± 854 vs 428 ± 776; P < 0.05). The correlation between the two values was always very high(Volume: r = 0.95; Mass: r = 0.97; Agatston: r = 0.98). Of the 6 patients with 0 Agatston score on gCCT, 2(33%) showed an Agatston score > 0 in the ngCCT. Of the 3 patients with 1-10 Agatston score on gCCT, 1(33%) showed an Agatston score of 0 in the ngCCT. Overall, 23(38%) patients were reclassified in a different car-diovascular risk category, mostly(18/23; 78%) shifting to a lower risk in the ngCCT. The estimated radiation dose was significantly higher for gCCT(DLP 115.8 ± 50.7 vs 83.8 ± 16.3; Effective dose 1.6 ± 0.7 mSv vs 1.2 ± 0.2 mSv; P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: CACS assessment is feasible on ngCCT; the variability of CACS values and the associated re-stratification of patients in cardiovascular risk groups should be taken into account.
文摘Background Thalassemic patients demonstrate an increased rate of extracardiae vascular complications and increased carotid wall intima-media thickness （cIMT）, but very low prevalence of coronary artery disease （CAD）. We investigated the atheroma burden by assessing the coronary artery calcium （CAC） and elMT in these patients. Methods We examined 37 patients with β-thalassemia and 150 healthy control volunteers with multi-detector computer tomography （CT） and ultrasonography to determine CAC score and cIMT, respectively. Results Propensity score matching （C-statistic： 0.88; 95% CI： 0.83-0.93） resulted in 27 pairs of patients; severe CAC was observed in 2 （7.4%） and 0 of β-thalassemia patients and healthy volunteers respectively （P = 0.5）. Median calcium score was 0 （0-0） in β-thalassemia patients and 0 （0-4） in healthy volunteers （P = 0.8）. Median intima-media thickness was higher in β-thalassemia patients compared to control group [0.45 （0.06-0.65） vs. 0.062 （0.054-0.086）; P = 0.04]. Conclusions Patients with β-thalassemia in comparison with healthy control subjects exhibit similar CAC score and increased cIMT. Our findings indicate a disparate rate of progression of atherosclerosis between coronary and extracardiac arteries in these patients lending support to the epidemiological evidence.
文摘AIM To investigate the relationship between coronary calcium score(CCS) and vulnerable plaque/significant stenosis using coronary computed tomographic angiography(CCTA). METHODS CCTA was performed in 651 patients and these patients were divided into the four groups(CCS 0, 1-100, 101-400 and > 400). We studied the incidence of high-risk plaque, including positive remodeling, low attenuation plaque, spotty calcification, and napkin-ring sign, and significant stenosis in each group. RESULTS High-risk plaque was found in 1.3%, 10.1%, 13.3% and 13.4% of patients with CCS 0, 1-100, 101-400 and > 400, respectively(P < 0.001). The difference was only significant for patients with zero CCS. The incidence of significant stenosis was 0.6%, 7.6%, 13.3% and 26.9% for each patient group, respectively(P < 0.001), which represented a significant stepwise increase as CCS increased. The combined incidence of high-risk plaque and significant stenosis was 1.9%, 17.7%, 26.9% and 40.3% in each patient group, respectively(P < 0.001), again representing a significant stepwise increase with CCS. The rate of major coronary event was 0%, 4.0%, 7.9% and 17.2% in each patient group, respectively(P < 0.001), another significant stepwise increase as CCS increased. CONCLUSION Stepwise increased risk of coronary events associated with increasing CCS is caused by increasing incidence of significant stenosis, while that of high-risk plaque remains the same.
文摘Objective: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) would continue to concern medical society in the foreseeable future. Determining the extent of coronary luminal stenosis is a key factor in management of CAD. Methods presently used are costly and pose certain dangers, ranging from nephrotoxicity to death. Long Pentraxin or Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) has been used to predict survival or atherosclerotic process, but not to identify coronary stenosis. Calcium Score has been used to this end with some success. Methods: Individuals with chronic stable angina, without evidence of Myocardial Infarction (MI), who were categorized as intermediate-risk after completing a treadmill exercise test, according to Duke Protocol, underwent cardiac catheterization. In addition, blood samples were drawn for coronary sinus PTX3, and also PTX3, uric acid, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), cholesterol, glucose and High-Density Lipo-protein (HDL) in peripheral circulation. Calcium Scores were calculated using Agatston Score and non-contrast multi-slice CT scan. Participants were divided according to the number of stenotic coronary arteries (patent, one-, two-and three-vessel disease). Results: We found that PTX3 levels in coronary sinus and femoral vein correlated with each other, after log-transforming the values. Also we found that PTX3 levels and Calcium Scores differed among individuals with triple-vessel involvement and individuals without significant stenosis in any of coronary arteries. No significant differences were observed, regarding hs-CRP levels. Conclusion: PTX3 levels in periphery correlate with those in coronary arteries, and this variable can be measured with a less invasive procedure. In addition to Calcium Score, PTX3 levels are different in our four groups. The combined contribution of PTX3 and calcium score may help us identify individuals with significant coronary artery stenosis without needing to perform cardiac catheterization in a select group of patients.
文摘Background: Factors that can predict the presence and number of noncalcified coronary plaques (NCP) in Japanese patients with zero coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) essentially remain undefined. Methods and Results: We assessed independent predictors of the presence and number of segments with NCP in 111 Japanese patients with zero CACS who underwent 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography at our hospital. Thirty five patients (32%) had NCP, and 24 patients (22%) had ≥ 2 NCPs. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that significant predictors for the presence of NCP were age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 - 1.11, p = 0.021), male (OR: 3.61, 95% CI 1.40 - 9.35, p = 0.008) and diabetes mellitus (OR: 3.10, 95% CI 1.02 - 9.45, p = 0.046), and those for the presence of ≥ 2 NCPs were age (OR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 - 1.15, p = 0.007) and a current smoking habit (OR: 5.09, 95% CI 1.00 - 25.74, p = 0.049). Multiple linear regression analysis identified advanced age, male gender and diabetes mellitus as independent predictors of the number of NCPs. A novel score calculated from the above four predictors showed moderate accuracy for a diagnosis of NCP and ≥ 2 NCPs, with areas under receiver operating curves of 0.738 and 0.736, respectively. Conclusions: Male Japanese patients with zero CACS, advanced age, diabetes mellitus and a current smoking habit might have NCPs.
文摘Coronary artery calcium data and reporting system(CAC-DRS)is a recently introduced standardized reporting system for calcium scoring on computed tomography.CAC-DRS provides four risk categories(0,1,2 and 3)along with treatment recommendations for each category.As with any other new reporting platform,CAC-DRS has both advantages and disadvantages.Improved communication,better clarity of details,organized management recommendations and utility in future research and education are the major strengths of CAC-DRS.It has many limitations such as questionable need for a new system,few missing components,use of a less accurate visual method and treatment suggestions based on expert opinion instead of clinical trials.In this contemporary review,we discuss the new reporting system CAC-DRS,its application,strengths and limitations and conclude with some remarks for the future.
