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Epidemiology and association of vascular and valvular calcium quantified by multidetector computed tomography in

Ricardo C Cury1, Maros Ferencik, Udo Hoffmann

  • 1Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 02114, USA. rcury@partners.org

The American Journal of Cardiology
|July 28, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Elderly individuals often have vascular and valvular calcium. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) revealed that aortic valve calcium (AVC) and mitral valve calcium (MVC) are linked to coronary calcium (CC) in subjects without prior heart disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Radiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Vascular and valvular calcification are common in aging populations.
  • The association between different types of calcification and their prevalence is not fully understood.
  • Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) offers a comprehensive view of calcification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of vascular and valvular calcium in elderly subjects without coronary artery disease.
  • To determine the association between coronary calcium (CC) and calcifications in the descending thoracic aorta (DTAC), aortic valve (AVC), and mitral valve (MVC).

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 416 elderly subjects with no history of coronary artery disease.
  • Quantification of CC, DTAC, AVC, and mitral valve calcium (MVC) using MDCT.
  • Statistical analysis using multiple logistic regression, adjusting for age and gender.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence rates: CC (68%), DTAC (51%), AVC (37%), MVC (16%).
  • Subjects with AVC (OR 2.3), MVC (OR 2.81), and DTAC (OR 2.79) were significantly more likely to have CC, independent of age and gender.
  • Demonstrated a significant association between vascular and valvular calcifications.

Conclusions:

  • Calcifications in the aorta and heart valves are independently associated with coronary calcium in the elderly.
  • MDCT is a valuable tool for assessing the global burden of vascular and valvular calcium.
  • Findings support the concept of calcification as a systemic process affecting both vasculature and valves.

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