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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
04:40

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans

Published on: August 28, 2018

Subclinical systolic left ventricular dysfunction in patients with non-significant coronary artery stenosis detected

Edin Begic1,2,3, Ada Djozic1, Nejra Mlaco-Vrazalic1

  • 1Internal Medicine Department, General Hospital "Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakaš", Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Medicinski Glasnik : Official Publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
|August 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

In hypertensive patients with mild LAD stenosis and negative stress tests, a higher coronary artery calcium (CAC) score indicates a risk for subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. This finding helps identify at-risk individuals needing further cardiac evaluation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Echocardiography

Background:

  • Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) are key indicators of cardiac health.
  • Assessing subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is crucial in managing hypertensive patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the correlation between CAC score and LV GLS in hypertensive individuals with mild coronary stenosis and negative stress tests.
  • To determine if CAC score can predict subclinical LV dysfunction in this specific patient group.

Main Methods:

  • Fifty-three hypertensive patients with 30-50% coronary stenosis on CCTA and negative stress tests were analyzed.
  • Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and LV GLS were measured.
  • Patients were stratified by LV GLS and LVEF to assess CAC score differences.

Main Results:

  • No overall association was found between CAC score and LV function (LVEF or GLS).
  • However, in patients with left anterior descending (LAD) stenosis, a higher CAC score was significantly linked to reduced LV function (GLS ≤ 18.5% and LVEF <60%).
  • No significant associations were observed in right coronary artery (RCA) or circumflex artery (Cx) stenosis subgroups.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated CAC scores in hypertensive patients with mild LAD stenosis and negative stress tests may identify individuals at risk for subclinical LV dysfunction.
  • This highlights the potential of CAC scoring as a risk stratification tool in specific hypertensive populations.
Abstract

Keywords:
coronary artery calcium scorecoronary artery diseaseglobal longitudinal strainleft anterior descending

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