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Frequency and risk factors associated with atherosclerotic plaques in patients with a zero coronary artery calcium

Chun-Ku Chen1, Yen-Shu Kuo, Chien-An Liu

  • 1Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.

Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
|January 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Coronary artery plaques can develop even with a zero calcium score. Advanced age and obesity are key risk factors for plaque development in these individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Radiology
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring is crucial for assessing coronary artery disease (CAD) risk and guiding treatment.
  • However, coronary artery plaques can exist without detectable calcium, posing a diagnostic challenge.
  • This study investigates plaque prevalence and risk factors in patients with a zero CAC score.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of coronary artery plaques in individuals with a zero CAC score.
  • To identify demographic and clinical risk factors associated with plaque development in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 519 patients undergoing CAC scoring and coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).
  • Evaluation of demographic data, clinical risk factors, and imaging features.
  • Statistical analyses (descriptive, univariate, and multivariate) to identify plaque presence and associated risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Coronary artery plaques were found in 66 patients (12.7%), with six showing significant stenosis.
  • Univariate analysis identified age >55, male gender, BMI >27, hypertension, and diabetes as significant factors.
  • Multivariate analysis confirmed age >55 (OR=2.13) and BMI >27 (OR=2.01) as independent risk factors for plaques in zero CAC score patients.

Conclusions:

  • Coronary artery plaques are present in a notable proportion of individuals with a zero CAC score.
  • Advanced age and obesity (BMI >27) are significant independent risk factors for plaque development in this cohort.
  • These findings highlight the importance of considering plaque presence beyond CAC scoring for comprehensive CAD risk assessment.
Abstract

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