Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2025
A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro
Published on: June 2, 2022
Risk factors that predict for presence of clinically significant, noncalcified plaque in younger adults
Aditya Mehta1, Felix Thomas2, Venkat Manubolu2
1Department of Medicine.
Insights
In young adults, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and Hispanic ethnicity are linked to noncalcified plaque, even with zero coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. This highlights key risk factors for early cardiovascular disease assessment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring is a tool for cardiovascular disease risk assessment in young adults.
- Identifying risk factors for noncalcified plaque is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate risk factors for noncalcified plaque in young adults (18-45 years).
- To assess total plaque burden in relation to coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 1026 patients aged 18-45 years.
- CAC scoring and coronary computed tomography (CT) angiograms were performed.
- Logistic regression identified independent risk factors for noncalcified plaque when CAC score was 0.
Main Results:
- Among patients with CAC score of 0, 63 had noncalcified plaque (TPS >0).
- Noncalcified plaque was significantly associated with Hispanic ethnicity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia.
- Significant stenosis (>50% or >70%) was observed in a subset of patients with noncalcified plaque.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and Hispanic origin are significant risk factors for noncalcified plaque in young adults.
- These factors are important even when CAC score is zero, indicating subclinical atherosclerosis.
Objective:
Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring may be a useful tool for assessing cardiovascular disease in young adults, particularly in those with risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or smoking. In this study, we aimed to address the risk factors for developing noncalcified plaque in young adults by assessing total plaque burden.
Methods:
A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1026 consecutive patients aged 18-45 years who underwent CAC scoring and coronary computed tomography (CT) angiograms for clinical indications. CAC scores and total plaque scores (TPS) were calculated using standard scoring protocols. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent risk factors of significant, noncalcified plaque in subjects where CAC = 0.
Results:
This single-center retrospective cohort study included 1026 patients aged 18-45 years who underwent CAC scoring and coronary CT angiograms for clinical indications. The mean age of the population was 38.8 years old. Sixty-three patients had a CAC score of 0 and a TPS >0. Of the patients with noncalcified plaque burden, 15% had a stenosis >50%, and 10% had a stenosis >70%. The odds of a subject having noncalcified plaque presence and CAC absent were significantly associated with being Hispanic, having diabetes, and having hyperlipidemia.
Conclusion:
In young adults aged 18-45 years old, we found diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and being of Hispanic origin to be significantly associated with noncalcified plaque burden.
More Related Videos
04:40Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
![Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography FDG-PET/CT](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F3777.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
10:02Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography FDG-PET/CT
Published on: May 2, 2012
Related Concept Videos
01:38Inflammation
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
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...
01:17Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview
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...
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...