Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 12, 2026
Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
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.
Insights
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.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality globally. While coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring is the current gold standard for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis, recent research has highlighted breast arterial calcification (BAC), often incidentally identified on screening mammograms, as a potential non-invasive marker of CVD risk. BAC has been significantly associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and heart failure. This systematic review comprises 14 studies aimed at better understanding the association between the presence of BAC and CAC. The studies consisted of 5,249 women who underwent both BAC and CAC scoring, primarily post-menopausal, with an average age of 57.8 years. The time interval between BAC and CAC assessment ranged from same-day imaging to 2.94 years (mean: 16.2 months; median: 12 months). Across all studies, a consistent positive correlation was observed between the presence of BAC and CAC. Notably, women with both BAC and CAC tended to be older and exhibited a higher burden of coronary artery stenosis, an increased number of affected vessels, and more extensive calcification distribution. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of BAC for detecting CAC were 38.9%, 88%, 73%, and 57.2%, respectively. These findings suggest that the presence of BAC may serve as a useful tool for supporting the presence of CAC in at-risk patients. Given its accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and high specificity, BAC holds promise as a screening adjunct for early CVD detection in women. Standardized guidelines are needed to support radiologists in the consistent reporting of BAC on mammograms and to inform primary care providers on appropriate follow-up and cardiovascular screening for patients with positive BAC findings.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:27Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
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...