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Vertebrobasilar artery calcification: Prevalence and risk factors in the general population

Janine E van der Toorn1, Sophie R Engelkes1, M Kamran Ikram2

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Atherosclerosis
|May 18, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Vertebrobasilar artery calcification (VBAC) affects over 20% of older adults and is linked to common cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension and diabetes. These associations appear consistent between men and women.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Medicine
  • Radiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Arteriosclerosis in vertebrobasilar arteries is implicated in posterior circulation strokes.
  • Limited data exists on its prevalence, correlation with other arterial calcifications, and risk factors.
  • Vertebrobasilar artery calcification (VBAC) serves as a marker for vertebrobasilar arteriosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and extent of VBAC.
  • To examine correlations between VBAC and calcification in other major arteries.
  • To identify cardiovascular risk factors associated with VBAC.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized non-enhanced computed tomography in 2483 participants from the Rotterdam Study (mean age 69.2 years, 52% female).
  • Quantified VBAC presence and volume.
  • Assessed correlations with coronary artery calcification (CAC), aortic arch calcification (AAC), and carotid artery calcifications (ECAC, ICAC) using Spearman's rank correlation.
  • Analyzed associations with cardiovascular risk factors via logistic and linear regression.

Main Results:

  • Overall VBAC prevalence was 21.0% (median volume 7.3 mm³).
  • Weak to moderate correlations were found between VBAC and CAC, AAC, ECAC, and ICAC.
  • Hypertension, diabetes, and current smoking were associated with VBAC presence in both sexes. Obesity was associated in men.

Conclusions:

  • VBAC is prevalent in over 20% of community-dwelling elderly individuals.
  • Cardiovascular risk factors are significantly associated with VBAC.
  • Risk factor associations with VBAC show similar patterns in both men and women.
Abstract

Keywords:
Arterial calcificationAtherosclerosisBasilar arteryCTPrevalenceRisk factorsVertebral artery

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