Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
Isolation and Analysis of Aortic Arch and Root Lesions in an Atherosclerotic Mouse Model
Published on: February 14, 2025
Osteoporosis and atherosclerosis: a post-mortem MDCT study of an elderly cohort
A S Issever1, M Kentenich, T Köhlitz
1Department of Radiology, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany, ahi-sema.issever@charite.de.
Insights
In elderly cadavers, fracture status and bone mineral density (BMD) showed limited correlation with vascular calcification scores (CS). Only pelvic vessel calcification differed between osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic groups, not coronary or aortic calcification.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Vascular calcification (CS) and osteoporosis are common in the elderly.
- The relationship between fracture status, bone mineral density (BMD), and vascular calcification requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the correlation between fracture status and bone mineral density (BMD) with vascular calcification scores (CS) in different vascular beds.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) on 29 human cadavers (mean age 85.57 years).
- Assessed spine fracture status, coronary artery CS (Coro-CS), aorta CS (Aorta-CS), and pelvic vessel CS (Iliac-CS).
- Quantified lumbar spine BMD to categorize subjects as osteoporotic (BMD <80 mg/cm³) or non-osteoporotic (BMD ≥ 80 mg/cm³).
Main Results:
- Gender-specific differences were noted for Aorta-CS and Iliac-CS, but not Coro-CS.
- Statistically significant differences in Iliac-CS were found between osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic groups (P < 0.05).
- Linear regression analysis revealed no significant correlation between any CS and BMD.
Conclusions:
- In this elderly post-mortem cohort, fracture status and BMD were associated with pelvic vessel calcification but not coronary or aortic calcification.
- Gender was identified as a confounder for BMD and iliac CS in univariate analysis.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay between bone health and vascular calcification.
Objectives:
To evaluate how far fracture status and bone mineral density (BMD) correlate with the vascular calcification score (CS).
Methods:
On 29 complete human cadavers (17 female, 12 male; mean age at death was 85.57 years), multi-detector computed tomography was performed to assess the spine fracture status (fracture vs non-fracture [FX vs non-FX]) and CS of the coronary arteries (Coro-CS), the aorta (Aorta-CS) and the pelvic vessels (Iliac-CS). Quantitative computed tomography of the lumbar spine was performed to estimate overall BMD (osteoporotic [BMD <80 mg/cm(3)] vs non-osteoporotic [BMD ≥ 80 mg/cm(3)]).
Results:
Gender-specific differences in statistical significance were only observed for Aorta-CS and Iliac-CS but not for Coro-CS. When comparing the osteoporotic with the non-osteoporotic group, statistically significant differences were only found for Iliac-CS (P < 0.05); however, linear regression analysis showed none of the CSs to significantly correlate with BMD.
Conclusions:
In our small post-mortem elderly population, statistically significant associations of fracture status and BMD with CS were only observed between the osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic groups for the pelvic vessels but not for the coronary arteries and the aorta.
Key Points:
• Gender-specific differences were observed for aortic and iliac calcification score (CS). • There was no difference in coronary CS between females and males. • Only iliac CS was different in osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic subjects. • In linear regression analysis, CS showed no correlation with BMD. • In univariate analysis, gender was a BMD and iliac CS confounder.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
01:27Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology