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Updated: Jan 12, 2026
04:40
Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
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The Association Between Breast Arterial Calcification and Subsequent Coronary Artery Calcification: A Systematic
Stephanie Nagy1, Christopher Rodriguez1, Adriana Gurreri1
1Rheumatology, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Davie, USA.
Cureus
|October 30, 2025
Summary
Breast arterial calcification (BAC), found on mammograms, is linked to coronary artery calcium (CAC) and increased cardiovascular disease risk. BAC may help identify patients needing further cardiac screening.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of death.
- Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring detects subclinical atherosclerosis.
- Breast arterial calcification (BAC), seen on mammograms, is emerging as a CVD risk indicator.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the association between breast arterial calcification (BAC) and coronary artery calcium (CAC).
- To evaluate BAC as a potential non-invasive marker for subclinical atherosclerosis in women.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of 14 studies involving 5,249 women who underwent both BAC and CAC assessment.
- Analysis of pooled data to determine the correlation and diagnostic performance of BAC for detecting CAC.
Main Results:
- A consistent positive correlation was found between BAC and CAC.
- Women with BAC and CAC were older and had more severe coronary artery disease.
- Pooled sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of BAC for detecting CAC were 38.9%, 88%, 73%, and 57.2% respectively.
Conclusions:
- BAC is a useful adjunct for supporting the presence of CAC in at-risk patients.
- BAC shows promise for early CVD detection in women due to its accessibility and high specificity.
- Standardized reporting guidelines for BAC are needed to guide clinical practice.
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