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Quantification of coronary risk score

Tejinder Singh1, Shubhro Sumit Mullick, Rajneesh Calton

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana. drtejinder@pediatrician.com

Insights

Children with a family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) have higher future cardiovascular risk. This increased risk is primarily linked to biochemical factors like high triglycerides.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Preventive Cardiology

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) has a significant familial component.
  • Early identification of cardiovascular risk in pediatric populations with a family history of CAD is crucial for preventive strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the coronary risk score in children and grandchildren of patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • To investigate the association between a positive family history of CAD and elevated cardiovascular risk scores in offspring.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 150 children with a positive family history of CAD (cases) and 150 age/sex-matched controls.
  • Biochemical assessments included fasting blood sugar, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides.
  • Coronary risk scores were calculated using Nora's risk assessment scheme.

Main Results:

  • Children with a family history of CAD exhibited significantly higher triglyceride levels (p < 0.005) and a threefold increased prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia (p < 0.001).
  • Cases demonstrated substantially higher overall risk scores (p < 0.00001) compared to controls.
  • The elevated risk scores in cases were predominantly attributed to biochemical risk factors (p < 0.0006).

Conclusions:

  • A positive family history of CAD in children and grandchildren is associated with significantly elevated future CAD risk scores.
  • Biochemical derangements, particularly hypertriglyceridemia, are the primary drivers of increased cardiovascular risk in this pediatric cohort.
Abstract

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