Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
Race-ethnic differences in the extent, prevalence, and progression of coronary calcium
Miwa Kawakubo1, Laurie LaBree, Min Xiang
1Statistical Consultation and Research Center, Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, USA.
Insights
Racial and ethnic differences in coronary calcium prevalence and progression were observed in a prospective cohort study. African Americans and Hispanics showed less coronary calcium and slower progression compared to Caucasians.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Radiology
Background:
- Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a marker of atherosclerosis.
- Understanding race-ethnic variations in CAC is crucial for cardiovascular risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare baseline prevalence, extent, and 7-year progression of coronary calcium across four race-ethnic groups.
- To identify potential disparities in cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study (South Bay Heart Watch) of asymptomatic adults with cardiac risk factors.
- Baseline and 7-year follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans to assess coronary calcification.
- Statistical analyses to evaluate ethnic differences in CAC prevalence, extent, and progression.
Main Results:
- African Americans and Hispanics exhibited lower CAC prevalence, smaller calcium scores, and slower progression compared to Caucasians.
- No significant differences in CAC were observed between Caucasians and Asian/Pacific Islanders.
- Race-ethnic differences in CAC progression remained significant after adjusting for risk factors and participation bias.
Conclusions:
- Race-ethnic disparities exist in the prevalence and progression of coronary calcification.
- Further research is needed to explore the link between CAC and coronary heart disease incidence across different race-ethnic groups.
Objective:
To compare across four race-ethnic groups the baseline prevalence and extent of coronary calcium and the 7-year rate of progression in the extent of coronary calcium.
Design:
The South Bay Heart Watch is a prospective cohort study designed to appraise the value of coronary calcium for predicting cardiovascular outcomes in asymptomatic adults with cardiac risk factors. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate ethnic differences in the prevalence, extent, and progression of coronary calcium among Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, and Asian participants.
Setting:
Population-based study.
Patients Or Participants:
Between December 1990 and December 1992, 1289 participants without coronary heart disease underwent baseline risk factor screening and computed tomography for coronary calcification (Cohort 1). Seven years later, 828 (64%) participants returned for follow-up evaluation and re-scanning (Cohort 2).
Main Outcome Measures:
Prevalence, extent, and progression of coronary artery calcium.
Results:
In Cohort 2, compared to Whites, African Americans had a lower prevalence of coronary calcium at baseline (P=.012) and follow-up (P=.005), smaller calcium scores at baseline (P=.005) and follow-up (P=.0004), and less progression (P=.001); Hispanics had a lower prevalence of coronary calcium at follow-up (P=.04) with smaller calcium scores (P=.011), and less progression (P=.009). In contrast, no differences were seen between Whites and Asian/Pacific Islanders. Race-ethnic differences in progression persisted after adjusting for risk factors and participation bias (P<.05).
Conclusions:
The present results lend further credence to the notion that race-ethnic differences exist in the prevalence and rate of progression of coronary calcification. The relationship between calcification and the incidence of coronary heart disease in these race-ethnic groups needs further exploration.
More Related Videos
06:57Semi-Automatic Graphical Tool for Measuring Coronary Artery Spatially Weighted Calcium Score from Gated Cardiac Computed Tomography Images
Published on: September 22, 2023
11:30A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro
Published on: June 2, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology