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Aortic Root Calcification: A Possible Imaging Biomarker of Coronary Atherosclerosis

Hussein Nafakhi1, Hasan A Al-Nafakh2, Abdulameer A Al-Mosawi2

  • 1Internal Medicine Department, AL-Sader Teaching Hospital, Medicine College, Kufa University, Najaf, Iraq.

Pulse (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 20, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Coronary atherosclerosis risk can be better assessed using aortic root calcification. This imaging marker, evaluated via computed tomography, may improve patient risk stratification and identify those needing intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Radiology
  • Preventive Cardiology

Background:

  • Coronary atherosclerosis risk assessment is crucial for preventing cardiovascular events.
  • Current methods may not fully stratify all individuals at risk.
  • Coronary artery calcium (CAC) and thoracic aorta calcium (TAC) show promise in improving risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the utility of aortic root calcification (AoRC) as a marker for coronary atherosclerosis.
  • To analyze the correlation between AoRC and established coronary atherosclerotic markers.
  • To explore the relationship between AoRC and traditional cardiac risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) for imaging.
  • Quantified aortic root calcification without additional radiation or contrast.
  • Correlated AoRC with coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores and thoracic aorta calcium (TAC) scores.
  • Assessed associations with known cardiac risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Aortic root calcification demonstrated correlations with coronary atherosclerotic markers.
  • AoRC showed associations with traditional cardiac risk factors.
  • MDCT evaluation of AoRC is feasible and does not require contrast or extra radiation.

Conclusions:

  • Aortic root calcification is a potential imaging biomarker for coronary atherosclerosis.
  • AoRC may enhance cardiovascular risk stratification beyond current methods.
  • This non-invasive imaging approach could refine patient management for coronary artery disease.

Keywords:
Coronary artery calcificationCoronary computed tomographic angiography

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