Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
04:40

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans

Published on: August 28, 2018

15.2K

Clinical impact of cardiovascular calcifications on stroke incidence in primary prevention: analysis in NADESICO

Shinichi Wada1,2, Yoshitaka Iwanaga3,4, Michikazu Nakai1,5

  • 1Department of Medical and Health Information Management, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 kishibe-shimmachi, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan.

Heart and Vessels
|April 3, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular calcifications like coronary artery calcification (CAC), aortic valve (AVC), and aortic root (ARC) predict stroke incidence in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Assessing CAC and AVC together improves stroke prediction accuracy.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Radiology
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • The predictive value of cardiovascular calcifications for stroke risk is not fully understood.
  • Coronary computed tomography (CT) can assess coronary artery calcification (CAC), aortic valve calcification (AVC), and aortic root calcification (ARC).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between CAC, AVC, and ARC with stroke incidence in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • To determine if cardiovascular calcifications improve stroke risk prediction models.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter prospective cohort study enrolled 1187 patients undergoing coronary CT.
  • Cardiovascular events, including stroke, were tracked over a median follow-up of 4.0 years.
  • Cox proportional hazard models and C statistics were used to assess the relationship between calcifications and stroke incidence, adjusted for the Framingham risk score.

Main Results:

  • Severe CAC (Agatston score ≥ 90th percentile), and the presence of AVC and ARC were significantly associated with increased stroke incidence.
  • The model incorporating CAC and AVC severity showed a superior C statistic (0.841) for stroke prediction compared to CAC alone (0.762).

Conclusions:

  • Coronary artery calcification (CAC), aortic valve calcification (AVC), and aortic root calcification (ARC) are associated with stroke incidence in patients with suspected CAD.
  • Combined assessment of CAC and AVC severity may enhance the prediction of stroke incidence.

Keywords:
Aortic root calcificationAortic valve calcificationCoronary artery calcificationCoronary artery diseaseStroke

More Related Videos

A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro11:30

A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro

Published on: June 2, 2022

2.0K
Author Spotlight: Enhanced Quantification of Cardiovascular Calcification Progression for Longitudinal Micro PET/CT Studies in Small Research Animals08:02

Author Spotlight: Enhanced Quantification of Cardiovascular Calcification Progression for Longitudinal Micro PET/CT Studies in Small Research Animals

Published on: November 15, 2024

596

Related Concept Videos

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray01:20

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray

The most common cardiovascular diagnostic test is an X-ray. It produces images of the heart, blood vessels, and adjacent structures.
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
180
Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview01:17

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply dwindles, causing an ominous lack of oxygen and nutrients. This deficiency, stemming from reduced or obstructed blood flow, spells danger, leading to heart muscle damage and dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and...
1.3K
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
81
Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine01:25

Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine

Angina pectoris, a primary symptom of ischemic heart disease, requires careful pharmacological interventions. In this context, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and ranolazine have emerged as crucial pharmacotherapeutic agents, providing deep insights into the complexities of angina management.
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
500
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
30