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Updated: Jun 20, 2025
Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
Published on: May 31, 2016
The impact of fetuin-A on predicting aortic arch calcification: secondary analysis of a community-based survey
Yi-Hung Lin1, Meng-Hung Lin2, Chung-Sheng Shi3
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Chiayi Branch, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Insights
Low fetuin-A levels are linked to aortic arch calcification (AAC) and hypertension. Combining blood pressure and fetuin-A levels improves AAC prediction, highlighting fetuin-A's role in vascular calcification.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biomarker Analysis
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease poses a significant mortality risk, with vascular calcification being a key factor.
- The specific role of fetuin-A in aortic arch calcification (AAC) remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between fetuin-A levels and aortic arch calcification (AAC).
- To determine the predictive value of fetuin-A and blood pressure for AAC.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of secondary biomarkers in 800 biobank individuals.
- Aortic arch calcification (AAC) assessment by radiologists using imaging.
- Multivariable logistic regression for risk analysis.
Main Results:
- In 736 participants (mean age 65±10 years, 50% male), higher systolic blood pressure (SBP ≥130 mmHg) and lower fetuin-A levels were independently associated with AAC.
- Higher SBP showed an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.85 (95% CI 1.34-2.57, p=0.002).
- Lower fetuin-A levels demonstrated an aOR of 0.62 (95% CI 0.50-0.76, p<0.001).
- Combining SBP ≥130 mmHg and low fetuin-A (<358 μg/ml) significantly improved AAC prediction (aOR 5.39, 95% CI 3.21-9.08).
Conclusions:
- Low fetuin-A levels are significantly correlated with aortic arch calcification (AAC).
- An increased association exists between vascular calcification and coexisting hypertension.
- Fetuin-A may serve as a crucial biomarker in predicting AAC, particularly when considered alongside blood pressure.
Introduction:
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is associated with a high mortality rate due to vascular calcification. The role of fetuin-A in aortic arch calcification (AAC) is less well understood.
Methods:
An analysis of secondary biomarkers was performed on 800 individuals from the biobank using the community database. AAC was defined by radiologists based on imaging. Multiple variables logical analysis was used for risk analysis.
Results:
A total of 736 individual samples were collected based on age and gender. The average age is 65 ± 10 years, and half the population comprises men. In spite of similar body weight, renal function, and hepatic function, the AAC group had higher blood pressure and fetuin-A levels independently: systolic blood pressure (SBP) index ≥130 mmHg [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34-2.57, p = 0.002] and fetuin-A (aOR 0.62, 95% CI 0.50-0.76, p < 0.001). Moreover, it is evident that AAC can be predicted more accurately when combined with SBP ≥130 mmHg and a low fetuin-A level (<358 μg/ml: aOR 5.39, 95% CI 3.21-9.08) compared with the reference.
Conclusion:
Low fetuin-A levels are significantly correlated with AAC while there is an increased association between vascular calcification and coexisting hypertension.
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