Association between coronary artery calcium score and carotid atherosclerotic disease

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between coronary calcification and carotid atherosclerosis. Briefly, 123 patients with suspected coronary artery disease were recruited. The coronary artery calcium score (CACS) was measured and multi‑contrast carotid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. Parameters of the carotid morphological measurements were determined and the presence or absence of carotid plaque tissue compositions was recorded for each subject, as well as plaque surface disruption. Two reviewers blind to CACS status interpreted the MRIs. All the subjects were divided into two groups, high‑ and low‑CACS and the carotid morphological measurements in the CACS groups and categories were compared using independent t‑tests and one way ANOVA, respectively. CACS was found to exhibit a moderate correlation with carotid wall area (WA; r=0.521) and mean wall thickness (MWT; r=0.556) and a weak correlation with total vessel area (TVA; r=0.215) and normalized wall index (r=0.377). No significant correlation between CACS and carotid lumen area was identified. Compared with low‑CACS, the high‑CACS group revealed increased carotid WA, TVA and MWT. In the entire cohort, carotid plaque burden revealed an increasing trend with an increasing CACS. CACS and presence of carotid calcification and lipid‑rich necrotic core (LRNC) demonstrated a significant correlation. No significant correlation was observed between CACS with carotid intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) and surface disruption. CACS was found to moderately correlate with carotid calcification and LRNC volume and weakly correlate with carotid IPH volume. Results of the present study indicated that CACS significantly correlates with carotid atherosclerotic plaque burden and the presence of tissue compositions.