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Updated: Jan 22, 2026
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Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
Published on: January 28, 2020
5.8K
[Coronary artery calcium: pathogenesis and cardiovascular risk]
1Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute - University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Giornale Italiano Di Cardiologia (2006)
|July 20, 2019
Summary
Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a key marker for preclinical atherosclerosis, significantly enhancing cardiovascular event prediction. Its absence indicates a very low long-term risk, even in high-risk individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Radiology
- Preventive Cardiology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis involves lipid infiltration, inflammation, and calcification in the subintimal space.
- Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a specific marker of subclinical atherosclerosis.
- CAC accumulation indicates subintimal disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology and clinical significance of CAC.
- To discuss CAC's prognostic value across diverse populations.
- To summarize current clinical practice recommendations for CAC assessment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiological studies on CAC.
- Analysis of clinical significance and prognostic value of CAC.
- Synthesis of current guidelines for CAC utilization.
Main Results:
- CAC is a highly specific marker for preclinical atherosclerosis.
- CAC enhances cardiovascular event prediction in general and high-risk populations.
- Absence of CAC signifies a very low long-term cardiovascular event risk.
Conclusions:
- CAC is a valuable non-invasive marker for cardiovascular risk stratification.
- Prognostic significance of CAC varies by race, sex, and age.
- Current recommendations support CAC use in clinical practice for risk assessment.
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