March 2, 2021Open Access
View Full PaperVery High Coronary Artery Calcium (≥1000) and Association With Cardiovascular Disease Events, Non–Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes, and Mortality
Structured PICO
Are individuals with very high CAC (≥1000) at higher risk for CVD events, non-CVD outcomes, and mortality compared to those with lower CAC?
P
Population
Individuals with very high coronary artery calcium (CAC ≥1000)
C
Comparator
Individuals with lower CAC
O
Outcome
CVD events, non-CVD outcomes, and mortality (including 3-point major adverse cardiovascular events)hard clinical
Patients with CAC ≥1000 have MACE rates comparable to secondary prevention populations, suggesting they may benefit from similarly aggressive preventive pharmacotherapy.
Abstract
Individuals with very high CAC (≥1000) are a unique population at substantially higher risk for CVD events, non-CVD outcomes, and mortality than those with lower CAC, with 3-point major adverse cardiovascular event rates similar to those of a stable treated secondary prevention population. Future guidelines should consider a less distinct stratification algorithm between primary and secondary prevention patients in guiding aggressive preventive pharmacotherapy.