Key result
Incidental severe aortic valve calcification on chest CT linked to ~103% greater cardiovascular event risk.
Why the study?
The prognostic value of incidental aortic, mitral valve, and mitral annular calcification detected on routine chest CT for future cardiovascular events was unclear.
Does incidental heart valve calcification detected on routine chest CT predict future cardiovascular events in patients without known cardiovascular disease?
Population
10,410 patients undergoing chest CT excluding those referred for cardiovascular disease
Comparison
Patients with severe AVC, MVC, or MAC vs patients with no valve calcification
Design
Case-cohort study with valve calcification grading by three reviewers
Follow-up
Median 17 months
Authors
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May warrant attention to incidental severe aortic valve calcification on chest CT; hypothesis-generating for risk stratification in primary prevention.
Cohort (n=10,410)
Yes
Does incidental heart valve calcification detected on routine chest CT predict future cardiovascular events in patients without known cardiovascular disease?
Hazard Ratio: 2.03 (95% CI 1.48–2.78)
Incidental heart valve calcification on routine chest CT is an independent predictor of future cardiovascular events, highlighting the clinical utility of reporting these subclinical findings.
Gondrie et al. (2010) conducted a cohort in Cardiovascular events (n=10,410). Incidental severe aortic valve calcification vs. No valve calcification was evaluated on Cardiovascular events (HR 2.03, 95% CI 1.48-2.78). Incidental detection of severe aortic valve calcification on routine chest CT was associated with a 2.03-fold increased risk of future cardiovascular events compared to no calcification.
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