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Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
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Prevalence of Coronary Artery Calcium in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation With and Without Cardiovascular Risk

Lu Qi Chen1, Eleana Tsiamtsiouris1, Harjot Singh1

  • 1St Francis Hospital, The Heart Center, Roslyn, New York.

The American Journal of Cardiology
|April 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Coronary artery atherosclerosis is common in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, even those without risk factors. Coronary calcium scoring may improve risk assessment for AF patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
  • The prevalence of coronary artery atherosclerosis in AF patients is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence and characteristics of coronary artery calcium (CAC) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
  • To evaluate the clinical utility of CAC scoring in risk stratification for AF patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 324 AF patients undergoing CT angiography before AF ablation.
  • Prospective collection of cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Analysis of CAC scores and their distribution.

Main Results:

  • Overall coronary atherosclerosis prevalence was 76% in the AF cohort.
  • CAC was present in 70% of patients without prior coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • 58% of patients without traditional cardiovascular risk factors had detectable CAC.

Conclusions:

  • Coronary artery calcium is highly prevalent in AF patients, irrespective of cardiovascular risk factors.
  • CAC scoring can reclassify cardiovascular risk and potentially impact treatment decisions in AF.
  • Characterizing CAC in AF patients may enhance thromboembolic risk stratification and preventive therapy management.

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