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A Meta-Analysis: Coronary Artery Calcium Score and COVID-19 Prognosis

Kevin Kyungmin Lee1, Osman Rahimi1, Charlie Kyungchan Lee2

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89102, USA.

Medical Sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 28, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring indicates higher mortality risk in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. CAC scoring can help stratify patients for earlier interventions during severe illness.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring is increasingly studied for its prognostic value.
  • Previous research explored CAC scores' correlation with mortality, mechanical ventilation, and ICU admissions.
  • The prognostic capability of CAC scoring in COVID-19 patients requires further overview.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the prognostic capability of CAC scoring in predicting mortality, mechanical ventilation, and ICU admission in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
  • To synthesize findings from multiple studies on CAC scores and COVID-19 outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive online literature search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus.
  • Studies published up to November 22, 2021, investigating CAC scores in relation to COVID-19 outcomes were included.
  • A meta-analysis was conducted on eight selected studies.

Main Results:

  • The presence of CAC was associated with a significant increase in mortality (RR 2.24).
  • Higher CAC scores correlated with increased mortality compared to lower scores (RR 2.74).
  • No statistically significant differences in mechanical ventilation or ICU admission rates were observed between CAC groups.

Conclusions:

  • CAC scoring demonstrates prognostic value for mortality in COVID-19 patients.
  • CAC scoring can assist in patient stratification, enabling timely interventions for severe COVID-19.
  • Further research may refine the role of CAC scoring in managing COVID-19 patients.

Keywords:
COVID-19atherosclerosiscoronary artery disease

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