Risk factors for coronary, aortic arch and carotid calcification; The Rotterdam Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
• Medical Imaging and Diagnostics

Background:

• Cardiovascular risk factors are linked to atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by arterial calcification.
• Understanding these associations across different arterial beds is crucial for risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and calcification in the coronary arteries, aortic arch, and carotid arteries.
• To assess these associations using multislice computed tomography (MSCT).

Main Methods:

• The study utilized data from the Rotterdam Study, a population-based cohort of individuals aged 55 and over.
• Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) was used to quantify calcification using the Agatston score in 1003 participants.
• Statistical analyses identified independent risk factors associated with arterial calcification.

Main Results:

• Age and current smoking emerged as the strongest independent predictors of arterial calcification across all examined vessel beds.
• Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes showed independent associations, though not uniformly across vessel beds or sexes.
• Obesity showed an inverse relationship in women, while low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol had no significant association.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that age and smoking are significant risk factors for atherosclerosis in the coronary, aortic arch, and carotid arteries.
• While some cardiovascular risk factors show consistent associations, others vary by vessel bed and sex.
• These results underscore the presence of common underlying risk factors for atherosclerosis in major arterial circulations.