Calcified plaque in the coronary and carotid arteries was positively associated with carotid intimal medial thickness (r=0.36 and r=0.45, respectively; both P<0.0001).
Cross-Sectional (n=438)
Is calcified arterial plaque in the coronary and carotid arteries associated with carotid intimal medial thickness?
Calcified plaque in the coronary and carotid arteries measured by CT is moderately associated with carotid IMT, supporting its use as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis.
Effect estimate: r=0.36 (coronary), r=0.45 (carotid)
p-value: p=<0.0001
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Calcified arterial plaque has been proposed as a subclinical marker of atherosclerosis. We compared it to a well-validated surrogate--carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT). METHODS: Calcified arterial plaque was measured in 2 vascular beds (coronary and carotid) by computed tomography, and common carotid artery IMT was measured by B-mode ultrasonography, in 438 participants. RESULTS: Calcium was positively associated with IMT (r=0.36 for coronary and r=0.45 for carotid, both P<0.0001). Correlations were attenuated with adjustment for age, sex, and diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Calcified plaque in the coronary and carotid arteries is moderately associated with subclinical atherosclerosis.
Wagenknecht et al. (2004) conducted a cross-sectional in Subclinical atherosclerosis (n=438). Coronary and carotid artery calcification vs. Carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) was evaluated on Correlation between calcified arterial plaque and carotid IMT (r=0.36 (coronary), r=0.45 (carotid), p=<0.0001). Calcified plaque in the coronary and carotid arteries was positively associated with carotid intimal medial thickness (r=0.36 and r=0.45, respectively; both P<0.0001).