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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

Coronary artery calcification and total mortality in elderly men

Robert D Abbott1, Hirotsugu Ueshima, Kamal H Masaki

  • 1Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA. rda3e@virginia.edu

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|November 1, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Higher coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores in elderly men are linked to increased mortality risk. CAC screening may aid in developing strategies to enhance longevity, especially when traditional risk factors are less predictive.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Gerontology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a marker of atherosclerosis.
  • The association between CAC and mortality in very elderly individuals with preserved cognitive function is not well-established.
  • Traditional cardiovascular risk factors may have diminished predictive power in advanced age.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between coronary artery calcification (CAC) and all-cause mortality.
  • To assess the predictive value of CAC for mortality in a cohort of elderly men.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study within the Honolulu Heart Program.
  • Inclusion of 224 elderly men (aged 84-96) with good cognitive function.
  • CAC determination via physical examination from 2004-2005, followed by up to 3 years for mortality.

Main Results:

  • A significant, consistent increase in mortality risk was observed with rising CAC scores (P=.001).
  • No deaths occurred in individuals with CAC scores below 10.
  • Mortality rates increased substantially with higher CAC scores, from 13.2 to 48.6 per 1,000 person-years for scores of 10-100 and >1000, respectively.
  • CAC remained the sole significant predictor of mortality after adjusting for age and traditional risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated CAC scores in elderly men are significantly associated with increased mortality risk.
  • CAC screening may be a valuable tool for identifying elderly individuals at higher risk of death.
  • CAC assessment could inform strategies for improving longevity in older populations, particularly when traditional risk factors are less influential.
Abstract

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