Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
A Method to Estimate Cadaveric Femur Cortical Strains During Fracture Testing Using Digital Image Correlation
Published on: September 14, 2017
Detection of aortic calcification during vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) compared to digital radiography
John T Schousboe1, Kevin E Wilson, Thomas N Hangartner
1Park Nicollet Health Services, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America. john.schousboe@parknicollet.com
Insights
Lateral spine imaging used for bone densitometry can also detect abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in post-menopausal women. This dual-purpose imaging assesses cardiovascular disease risk factors efficiently.
Area of Science:
- Osteoporosis and Cardiovascular Health
- Medical Imaging and Diagnostics
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in post-menopausal women.
- Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a significant, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Early detection of AAC is crucial for cardiovascular risk stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if lateral spine images from bone densitometry can accurately detect abdominal aortic calcification (AAC).
- To assess the utility of vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) imaging for identifying AAC.
- To determine the correlation between VFA-detected AAC and radiographic AAC scores.
Main Methods:
- 174 post-menopausal women underwent bone densitometry with lateral spine imaging (VFA) and digital radiography.
- Images were scored for AAC using a 24-point scale and a simplified 8-point scale (AAC-8).
- Intraclass correlation coefficients and ROC curves were used to assess VFA's accuracy for AAC detection.
Main Results:
- 90% of VFA images were evaluable for AAC.
- High intraclass correlation (0.80 for 24-point, 0.76 for AAC-8) was found between VFA and radiographic AAC.
- VFA demonstrated strong performance (ROC AUCs 0.86 and 0.84) in detecting significant radiographic AAC.
Conclusions:
- Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) imaging effectively detects radiographic abdominal aortic calcification (AAC).
- VFA at the time of bone densitometry provides a low-cost method to assess cardiovascular risk in post-menopausal women.
- This approach leverages existing screening protocols for enhanced cardiovascular risk assessment.
Background:
Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of mortality among post-menopausal women. Our objective was to determine whether or not lateral spine images obtained on a bone densitometer to detect prevalent vertebral fracture can also accurately detect radiographic abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease independent of clinical risk factors.
Methodology/Principal Findings:
One hundred seventy four postmenopausal women had bone densitometry, lateral spine densitometry imaging (called vertebral fracture assessment, or VFA), and lateral spine digital radiographs. Radiographs and VFA images were scored for AAC using a previously validated 24 point scale and a simplified, new 8 point scale (AAC-8). One hundred fifty six (90%) of the VFA images were evaluable for AAC. The non-parametric intraclass correlation coefficient between VFA and radiographic 24 point and AAC-8 readings, respectively, were 0.80 (95% C.I. 0.68-0.87) and 0.76 (95% C.I. 0.65-0.84). Areas under receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves for VFA to detect those with a radiographic 24-point AAC score >or=5 were 0.86 (95% C.I. 0.77-0.94) using the 24 point scale and 0.84 (95% C.I. 0.76-0.92) using the AAC-8 scale.
Conclusion/Significance:
VFA imaging intended to detect prevalent vertebral fracture can also detect radiographic AAC, an important cardiovascular disease risk factor. Since bone densitometry is recommended for all women age 65 and older, VFA imaging at the time of bone densitometry offers an opportunity to assess this risk factor in the post-menopausal female population at very little incremental time and expense.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
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...
01:21Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:20Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies