Significance of Coronary Calcium: Influence of Age, Diabetes, and Other Risk Factors
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives: To evaluate the predictive value of Computed Tomography coronary artery calcium (CAC) in assessing the atherosclerotic coronary artery disease; also analyze the influence of age, diabetes and other risk factors on its predictive accuracy Material and Methods: Total 60 patients were studied over 18 months who were categorized based on CAC scores and with reference to age, diabetes and presence of more than three risk factors. The corresponding angiographic severity of the coronary lesions was noted. The patients were divided into Group-I: non-obstructive coronary artery disease-(CAD ) and Group-II: Obstructive CAD. The diameter stenosis was used as per standard practice to quantify CAD. Results: The subjects were in the age range: 42-86 years; 43% being less than 50 years. Eighteen of the 60 patients were females. 23 (38.3%) were diabetic patients. 27 of the 60, had 3 or more risk factors. Eleven had CAC > 100 and ten of them had significant CAD. In contrast only 5 out of 49 patients (10%) with CAC < 100 showed significant CAD. Higher the CAC score more is the degree of CAD particularly in patients aged > 50 years, diabetes and those with > 3 risk factors. The mean score was 206 in those with significant CAD compared to 14.5 in those with insignificant CAD. Conclusions: CAC is a reliable tool for predicting significant CAD, especially in patients aged > 50 years, diabetes and those with multiple risk factors. Even in patients < 50 years, CAC may be recommended when obstructive disease is suspected, particularly in women with diabetes or multiple risk factors. Further larger trials are suggested to substantiate our conclusion.
Authors: Ashikh Chandran, Sujata Patnaik, Jyotsna Yarlagadda
Institution: Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4411096348