Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro
11:30

A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro

Published on: June 2, 2022

Risk factor differences for aortic versus coronary calcified atherosclerosis: the multiethnic study of

Michael H Criqui1, Aruna Kamineni, Matthew A Allison

  • 1Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0607, USA. mcriqui@ucsd.edu

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|September 4, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Abdominal aortic calcium (AAC) correlates more strongly with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors than coronary artery calcium (CAC). Further research is needed to determine AAC

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Biomarkers
  • Risk Factor Assessment

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality globally.
  • Accurate assessment of CVD risk factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
  • Coronary artery calcium (CAC) and abdominal aortic calcium (AAC) are imaging biomarkers of atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the associations of AAC and CAC with traditional and novel cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
  • To evaluate the relative strengths of association between AAC, CAC, and various CVD risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Computed tomography (CT) scans were used to measure AAC and CAC in a multiethnic cohort of 1974 participants (aged 45-84).
  • Logistic and multiple linear regression analyses were employed to assess associations with traditional (e.g., smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia) and novel CVD risk factors.
  • Statistical comparisons were made between AAC and CAC regarding their relationships with risk factors and demographic variables.

Main Results:

  • AAC demonstrated significant associations with cigarette smoking and dyslipidemia, with no observed gender difference.
  • CAC exhibited weaker associations with smoking and dyslipidemia and a notable male predominance.
  • Both AAC and CAC were significantly associated with age and hypertension.
  • Novel risk factors, except for phosphorus with CAC in subset analyses, generally showed no independent association with either calcium measure.
  • Quantitative and qualitative analyses indicated a higher association strength for AAC compared to CAC.

Conclusions:

  • AAC exhibits stronger correlations with a broader range of CVD risk factors than CAC.
  • The comparative predictive value of AAC versus CAC for incident CVD events warrants further investigation.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans04:40

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans

Published on: August 28, 2018

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation08:43

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation

Published on: May 31, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT01:25

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT

Calcium-Scoring CT ScanA calcium-scoring CT scan, also known as coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan, detects calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. This test assesses the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to cardiovascular events such as angina, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.A calcium-scoring CT scan is generally recommended for individuals at intermediate risk of CAD without symptoms. It includes:Men aged 40-75 and women aged 50-75: Especially those with a...
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray01:20

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray

The most common cardiovascular diagnostic test is an X-ray. It produces images of the heart, blood vessels, and adjacent structures.
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...