Coronary artery tomography predicts near death
The data obtained by Emory University researchers indicate that the results of determining the calcification index of coronary arteries using computed tomography can be used to identify patients at risk for premature death.
Computed tomography makes it possible to detect deposits of insoluble calcium compounds in the walls of coronary arteries. The presence of such deposits (calcification) is considered an early manifestation of coronary artery disease.
On the tomographic image, the arrow shows a calcified plaque in a large coronary artery (white). The edges and spine are visible along the perimeter of the image. A snapshot from the report by J. van Osch et al. Impact of iterative CT image reconstruction on Calcium Score measurements at the Congress of the European Society of Radiologists (2013).Working under the guidance of Professor Leslie Shaw (Leslee J.
Shaw) researchers collected and analyzed data on the severity of calcification and risk factors for 9,715 people. At the time of the examination conducted in the wounds of the planned screening in the period from 1996 to 1999, the participants had no symptoms of coronary artery disease.
Approximately 86% of the participants were of European descent, 8% were African–American, 4% were Hispanic and 2% were Asian.
The analysis of the collected data showed that the severity of calcification allows predicting total mortality (mortality from any cause) with a high degree of accuracy over the next 15 years. Based on the observations made, the authors propose to use the results of computed tomography of coronary vessels to identify patients at risk for premature death.
They also note the uniqueness of their study, which consists in a long follow-up period (its median was 14.6 years). Earlier studies have already demonstrated the possibility of using the coronary artery calcification index to predict the risk of cardiovascular diseases and overall mortality in the short term.
Article by Leslee J. Shaw et al. Long-Term Prognosis After Coronary Artery Calcification Testing in Asymptomatic Patients: A Cohort Study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of Emory University:
Simple heart scan may help identify patients at risk for premature death.
Simple heart scan may help identify patients at risk for premature death.
10.07.2015