The Relationship between Coronary Artery Calcification as Assessed by Multi-Detector Computed Tomography and Arterial Stiffness

Abstract

Pulse wave analysis and intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid artery are the non-invasive indicators of subclinical atherosclerosis. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) score measured by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is well known as a predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD). We investigated the association between coronary calcification assessed by MDCT and extracoronary atherosclerosis measured by pulse wave analysis and IMT of carotid artery. Arterial stiffness and carotid IMT were measured consecutively in 133 patients who underwent their first coronary MDCT angiography due to chest pain. Patients were divided into three groups according to the CAC score (group 1, score = 0, n = 62; group 2, 0 < score < 400, n = 58; group 3, score ≥ 400, n = 13). The classification of CAC score was associated with age, prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, percentage of brachial mean artery pressure, upstroke time (UT), augmentation index, and carotid IMT. In a multivariate analysis, age (P = .048), hypertension (P = .007), dyslipidemia (P = .24), and mean ankle UT (P = .038) were independent variables for the classification of CAC score. The UT of pulse wave was significantly associated with the CAC score. The increased UT of pulse wave might provide incremental risk prediction in addition to that defined by conventional CHD risk assessment.

• coronary artery calcification score
• 64-channel coronary multi-detector computed tomography angiography
• upstroke time
• coronary atherosclerosis