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Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
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Inflammation and descending thoracic aortic calcification as detected by computed tomography: the Multi-Ethnic Study

Junichiro Takasu1, Ronit Katz, David M Shavelle

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA, Torrance, CA, USA.

Atherosclerosis
|January 15, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is linked to descending thoracic aortic calcification (DTAC), a marker of atherosclerosis. C-reactive protein (CRP) showed no significant association with DTAC in this large study.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Inflammation Research
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Inflammation plays a role in atherosclerosis development and progression.
  • Inflammatory markers are associated with cardiovascular events.
  • Descending thoracic aortic calcification (DTAC) is an indicator of atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the independent association of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) with DTAC.
  • To examine DTAC as detected by computed tomography (CT) in a large cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort.
  • Included 6613 participants (ages 45-84) free of baseline cardiovascular disease.
  • Measured CRP, IL-6, and DTAC (Agatston score) at baseline.

Main Results:

  • DTAC prevalence was 27% among participants.
  • Individuals with DTAC had higher CRP and IL-6 levels.
  • IL-6 remained significantly associated with DTAC after adjustment (aRR per S.D., 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02–1.14), while CRP did not (aRR per S.D., 1.01; 95% CI, 0.97–1.05).

Conclusions:

  • Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is associated with the presence and extent of descending thoracic aortic calcification (DTAC).
  • Further research is needed to explore the predictive value of DTAC and inflammation markers for cardiovascular events.
Abstract

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