In patients with stable CAD, coronary artery calcium progressed over 4 years, with statin therapy independently predicting fewer new calcific lesions (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.16-0.77; P<0.01).
Cohort (n=382)
What is the 4-year progression rate of coronary artery calcium in patients with clinically stable coronary artery disease?
In patients with stable CAD, coronary artery calcium progresses significantly over 4 years, with baseline TCS and smoking as independent predictors of progression, while statin therapy is associated with a lower risk of new calcific lesions.
Effect estimate: OR 0.35 (95% CI 0.16, 0.77)
p-value: p=<.01
PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the 4-year progression rate of coronary artery calcium (CAC) in patients with clinically stable coronary artery disease (CAD) with multi-detector row computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 382 consecutive patients. All underwent baseline dual-sector spiral CT, and CT was repeated at 2 and 4 years later. Progression of CAC was assessed with measurement of the increase in total calcium score (TCS) and with repeated-measures analysis and multivariate linear regression models. Logistic regression model was used to predict incidence of new lesions. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent (333 of 382) of the study group were men, with mean age of 65 years +/- 11, and 13% (49 of 382) were women, with mean age of 68 years +/- 11. The average TCS increased after 4 years by sixfold from baseline in the 1st quartile, and by four-, two- and 1.5-fold in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartiles of baseline TCS (P <.01), respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis included age; sex; natural logarithm of baseline TCS; history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, current smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and lipid-lowering therapy with cholesterol synthesis enzyme inhibitor (statin); and family history of premature CAD. Results demonstrated that natural logarithm of baseline TCS and history of current smoking were independent predictors of the 4th-year natural logarithm of TCS levels (R(2) = 0.85, P <.001). New lesions were diagnosed in 56 (15%) patients. History of statin therapy (odds ratio = 0.35; 95% confidence interval CI: 0.16, 0.77; P <.01), age with an increment of 5 years (odds ratio = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.90; P =.01), and natural logarithm of baseline TCS (odds ratio = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.86; P <.01) were independent predictors for new calcific lesions during 4 years. CONCLUSION: Accelerated progression of CAC during 4 years was found in clinically stable patients with CAD.
Shemesh et al. (Fri,) conducted a cohort in Stable coronary artery disease (CAD) (n=382). Coronary artery calcium (CAC) assessment was evaluated on Incidence of new calcific lesions (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.16, 0.77, p=<.01). In patients with stable CAD, coronary artery calcium progressed over 4 years, with statin therapy independently predicting fewer new calcific lesions (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.16-0.77; P<0.01).