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Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
04:40

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans

Published on: August 28, 2018

Aortic calcification detected in a mass chest screening program using a mobile helical computed tomography unit.

Yasutaka Itani1, Shigeru Watanabe, Yoshiaki Masuda

  • 1The Society of Thoracic CT Screening, Tokyo, Japan. itani-y@mtg.biglobe.ne.jp

Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society
|June 1, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Calcification in the thoracic aorta, detected via mobile CT screening, is linked to coronary artery disease (CAD). This finding helps assess CAD risk in asymptomatic individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Radiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Aortic arch calcification (AAC) is linked to coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • The association between risk factors, CAD, and aortic calcification detected via mobile CT screening is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between risk factors, CAD, and thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) detected during mass screening using mobile helical CT.
  • To determine if TAC detected during mass screening can serve as a marker for CAD risk.

Main Methods:

  • A total of 2,623 subjects underwent mass screening using a mobile helical CT unit for lung cancer and tuberculosis.
  • Data collected included demographics, risk factors (hypertension, smoking), and CT findings of aortic calcification (aortic arch, ascending aorta, descending aorta).
  • Statistical analysis was performed to assess the association between risk factors, CAD, and TAC, and the odds ratio of TAC for patients with CAD.

Main Results:

  • Calcification was observed in 19.6% of the aortic arch, 2.7% of the ascending aorta, and 10.1% of the descending aorta.
  • Aortic calcification frequency increased with age in both genders.
  • Hypertension and smoking were significantly associated with thoracic aortic calcification. A significant relationship was found between CAD and aortic calcification, with increased odds of aortic calcification correlating with more calcified segments.

Conclusions:

  • Detection of thoracic aortic calcification during mass chest screening with mobile helical CT is a valuable tool.
  • This method can be utilized to effectively evaluate the risk of coronary artery disease in the screened population.
Abstract

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