Subclinical coronary artery calcification in systemic sclerosis using high-resolution chest CT: Identification, extent, and disease-specific risk factors
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Systemic sclerosis patients show higher rates of subclinical atherosclerosis, identified via coronary artery calcification (CAC) scoring on chest CT scans. Digital ulcers emerged as a new risk factor for this condition in SSc patients.
Area Of Science
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Rheumatology
Background
- Early detection of subclinical atherosclerosis is crucial for preventing coronary artery disease (CAD).
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications.
- High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest scans may offer a method for assessing subclinical atherosclerosis in SSc patients.
Purpose Of The Study
- To compare the prevalence of significant coronary artery calcification (CAC) (Agatston score ≥100) in SSc patients versus a background population.
- To identify disease-specific risk factors for subclinical CAC in SSc patients.
- To evaluate the utility of routine HRCT chest scans for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis in SSc.
Main Methods
- Agatston CAC scores were determined from HRCT chest scans of 394 SSc patients and calibrated for accuracy.
- CAC scores from SSc patients were compared to those from two cardiac CT screening cohorts.
- Logistic regression models, adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors, identified associations with CAC score ≥100.
Main Results
- Over 41% of SSc patients had a CAC score ≥100, a significantly higher proportion than the background population (35.0% vs. 23.2%, p<0.001).
- Disease duration (OR=1.05) and a history of digital ulcers (OR=2.25) were independently associated with a CAC score ≥100.
- 29.4% of SSc patients had a CAC score of 0.
Conclusions
- Routine HRCT chest scans can identify SSc patients with subclinical atherosclerosis, enabling risk stratification for CAD.
- Digital ulcers represent a novel risk factor for subclinical CAD in patients with SSc.
- This approach facilitates timely preventive treatment strategies for at-risk SSc individuals.
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