Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. One of the key risk factors for ASCVD is the presence of calcification in the arteries, which can be detected using imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT). Two common types of calcification that are often assessed for predicting ASCVD events are thoracic and coronary calcification.
Thoracic calcification refers to the presence of calcium deposits in the walls of the thoracic aorta, which is the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Coronary calcification, on the other hand, refers to calcium deposits in the walls of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle itself.
Several studies have compared the predictive value of thoracic and coronary calcification for ASCVD events. One study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that both thoracic and coronary calcification were independently associated with an increased risk of ASCVD events, such as heart attacks and strokes. However, the study also found that coronary calcification was a stronger predictor of ASCVD events compared to thoracic calcification.
Another study published in the European Heart Journal found similar results, with coronary calcification being a better predictor of ASCVD events than thoracic calcification. The study also found that the combination of both thoracic and coronary calcification provided the most accurate prediction of ASCVD events.
Overall, these studies suggest that while both thoracic and coronary calcification are important predictors of ASCVD events, coronary calcification may be a more reliable indicator of future cardiovascular events. However, assessing both types of calcification may provide a more comprehensive risk assessment for individuals at risk of ASCVD.
In conclusion, thoracic and coronary calcification are valuable markers for predicting ASCVD events. While coronary calcification may be a stronger predictor, assessing both types of calcification can provide a more comprehensive risk assessment for individuals at risk of developing ASCVD. Further research is needed to determine the optimal approach for incorporating these imaging techniques into clinical practice for better risk stratification and prevention of ASCVD events.
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- Source: Plato Data Intelligence.
- Source: https://renal.platohealth.ai/thoracic-versus-coronary-calcification-for-atherosclerotic-cardiovascular-disease-events-prediction/