Association of coronary artery calcium and congestive heart failure in the general population: results of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study

AI-enabled cardiac chambers volumetry in coronary artery calcium scans (AI-CACTM) predicts heart failure and outperforms NT-proBNP: The multi-ethnic study of Atherosclerosis

INTRODUCTION

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scans contain useful information beyond the Agatston CAC score that is not currently reported. We recently reported that artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled cardiac chambers volumetry in CAC scans (AI-CAC™) predicted incident atrial fibrillation in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). In this study, we investigated the performance of AI-CAC cardiac chambers for prediction of incident heart failure (HF).

METHODS

We applied AI-CAC to 5750 CAC scans of asymptomatic individuals (52% female, White 40%, Black 26%, Hispanic 22% Chinese 12%) free of known cardiovascular disease at the MESA baseline examination (2000-2002). We used the 15-year outcomes data and compared the time-dependent area under the curve (AUC) of AI-CAC volumetry versus NT-proBNP, Agatston score, and 9 known clinical risk factors (age, gender, diabetes, current smoking, hypertension medication, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, LDL, HDL for predicting incident HF over 15 years.

RESULTS

Over 15 years of follow-up, 256 HF events accrued. The time-dependent AUC [95% CI] at 15 years for predicting HF with AI-CAC all chambers volumetry (0.86 [0.82,0.91]) was significantly higher than NT-proBNP (0.74 [0.69, 0.77]) and Agatston score (0.71 [0.68, 0.78]) (p ​< ​0.0001), and comparable to clinical risk factors (0.85, p ​= ​0.4141). Category-free Net Reclassification Index (NRI) [95% CI] adding AI-CAC LV significantly improved on clinical risk factors (0.32 [0.16,0.41]), NT-proBNP (0.46 [0.33,0.58]), and Agatston score (0.71 [0.57,0.81]) for HF prediction at 15 years (p ​< ​0.0001).

CONCLUSION

AI-CAC volumetry significantly outperformed NT-proBNP and the Agatston CAC score, and significantly improved the AUC and category-free NRI of clinical risk factors for incident HF prediction.

Clinical Significance of Coronary Healed Plaques in Stable Angina Pectoris Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND

Coronary healed plaques (HPs) reportedly have high vulnerability or show advanced atherosclerosis and a risk of rapid plaque progression. However, the prognosis of stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients with HPs undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains under-investigated.Methods and Results: We analyzed 417 consecutive lesions from SAP patients undergoing pre- and post-intervention optical coherence tomography (OCT) for which HPs were defined as having a layered appearance. We investigated the differences in clinical and lesion characteristics, and post-PCI outcomes between HPs and non-HPs. To account for differences in clinical characteristics, propensity score matching was performed between the groups. HPs were observed in 216 lesions (51.8%) in the total cohort. In the propensity-matched cohort (n=294), HPs had higher rates of angiographic-B2/C lesions (77.6% vs. 59.2%, P<0.001), OCT-lipid-rich plaques (40.8% vs. 25.9%, P=0.007), macrophages (78.2% vs. 44.2%, P<0.001), greater luminal area stenosis (73.5±11.0% vs. 71.5±10.3%, P=0.002), and a higher prevalence of post-stenting irregular tissue protrusion (45.1% vs. 14.7%, P<0.001) than non-HPs. In the total cohort, target lesion revascularization (TLR)-free survival was poorer for HPs (log-rank test 7.66; P=0.006), and Cox proportional hazards analysis showed HP as an independent predictor of TLR (hazard ratio, 5.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.72-20.82; P=0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

In SAP patients, HPs had greater complexity of lesions and higher vulnerability, which may have contributed to the poorer post-PCI outcomes.

The novel H2VK-65 clinical risk assessment tool predicts high coronary artery calcium score in symptomatic patients referred for coronary computed tomography angiography

Background

Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a powerful imaging modality for the detection and prognostication of individuals with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). High amounts of coronary artery calcium (CAC) significantly obscure the interpretation of CCTA. Clinical risk assessment tools and data specific to predictors of high CAC in symptomatic patients are limited.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent CAC scan and CCTA to diagnose CAD during 2016-2020 were included. A high CAC score was defined as >400 by Agatston method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the predictors of high CAC. The clinical risk score was derived from factors independently associated with high CAC. The derivation cohort was composed of 465 patients; this score was validated in 98 patients.

Results

The mean age was 63 ± 11 years, 53% were female, and 15.9% had high CAC scores. The independent predictors of high CAC scores were age >65 years (odds ratio [OR] 3.02, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.56-5.85, p = 0.001), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR 11.09, 95%CI 3.38-36.38, p < 0.001), heart failure (OR 6.52, 95%CI 2.23-19.09, p = 0.001), hypertension (OR 26.44, 95%CI 9.02-77.44, p < 0.001), and vascular diseases, including ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack and peripheral arterial disease (OR 20.96, 95%CI 4.19-104.86, p < 0.001). The H₂VK-65 (Hypertension, Heart failure, Vascular diseases, CKD, and Age > 65) score allocates 1 point for age >65, 2 points for CKD or heart failure, and 3 points for hypertension or vascular diseases. Using a threshold of ≥4 points, the sensitivity and specificity to detect high CAC was 81% and 80%, respectively. The area under the curve was 0.88 and 0.85 in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively.

Conclusion

The novel H₂VK-65 score demonstrated good performance for predicting high CAC scores in symptomatic patients referred for CCTA.

Are Non-Invasive Modalities for the Assessment of Atherosclerosis Useful for Heart Failure Predictions?

Heart failure (HF) is becoming an increasingly common issue worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, making its prevention an important clinical goal. The criteria evaluated using non-invasive modalities such as coronary artery calcification, the ankle-brachial index, and carotid intima-media thickness have been proven to be effective in determining the relative risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Notably, risk assessments using these modalities have been proven to be superior to the traditional risk predictors of cardiovascular disease. However, the ability to assess HF risk has not yet been well-established. In this review, we describe the clinical significance of such non-invasive modalities of atherosclerosis assessments and examine their ability to assess HF risk. The predictive value could be influenced by the left ventricular ejection fraction. Specifically, when the ejection fraction is reduced, its predictive value increases because this condition is potentially a result of coronary artery disease. In contrast, using these measures to predict HF with a preserved ejection fraction may be difficult because it is a heterogeneous condition. To overcome this issue, further research, especially on HF with a preserved ejection fraction, is required.

The additive prognostic value of coronary calcium score (CCS) to single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI)-real world data from a single center

AIMS

Single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging [SPECT-MPI] is a functional test for coronary ischemia. We aimed to assess the additive prognostic value of coronary calcium score (CCS) to SPECT-MPI in stable patients.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective analysis of 655 patients who underwent SPECT-MPI with CCS (2012 to 2017). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) identified CCS cutoff value for all-cause mortality: CCS+ if > cutoff value and MPI+ if ≥ 5% total perfusion defect (TPD). Patients were divided into 1 MPI-/CCS-; 2 MPI+/CCS-; 3 MPI-/CCS+; 4 MPI+/CCS+ and compared. Cox proportional hazard analysis identified predictors of mortality.

RESULTS

CCS cutoff for all-cause mortality was > 216 (C statistic 0.756, P < 0.0001). In MPI+ groups, mean TPD was similar (13.4% and 13.1% respectively) but mortality was higher in the CCS+ (12.5% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.22) as was the severe LV systolic dysfunction (8.0% vs. 0%, P = 0.095). In MPI- groups, mean TPD was similar (0.7% and 0.9% respectively) but all-cause mortality was higher in the CCS+ (10.7% vs. 1.6%, P < 0.0001) as was severe LVSD (2.9 % vs. 0.3% P = 0.016). Age, smoking, renal impairment ,and CCS > 216 were independent predictors of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with raised CCS on SPECT-MPI have increased mortality and poor LV function despite a negative MPI.

Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease-Related Heart Failure: The Role of Computed Tomography Scan

During the past decade, coronary computed tomography angiography has emerged as the primary modality to noninvasively detect and rule out coronary artery disease. Therefore, this technique could play an important role in identifying patients at high risk of heart failure, considering the high prevalence of coronary artery disease in these patients. The latest technologies have also increased diagnostic accuracy, helping to close the gap with the other functional imaging modalities.

Independence of coronary artery disease to subclinical left ventricular dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

Epicardial atherosclerosis and heart failure while distinct clinical entities share common pathophysiological features including endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. Presence of subclinical disease could lead to early diagnosis and intervention in the other. The aim of our study was to assess the association between coronary calcium score (CCS), conventional cardiovascular risk factors, and echocardiographic markers of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction (S-LVD).

METHODS

One hundred and fifty-nine participants aged 40-70 years with intermediate risk of coronary artery disease (5-year risk of 2%-15%) were identified. Computed tomography (CT) CCS and 2-D transthoracic echocardiography were performed. Main outcomes included presence of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction defined by reduced average global longitudinal strain, left atrial volume enlargement, and elevated E/e'.

RESULTS

Fifteen participants had evidence of subclinical LV dysfunction (8 with systolic dysfunction and 7 with diastolic dysfunction) and 85 participants had CCS > 0. CCS > 0 was present in 10 participants with S-LVD compared to 75 participants without S-LVD (67% vs 53%, P = .47). There was no significant difference between in mean GLS (19.2 vs 19.5, P = .14), E/e' (7.2 vs 7.5 P = .33) in those without or with coronary artery calcium. Elevated CCS was also not associated with a higher tertiles of indexed LV mass (OR 1.15, P = .49) or index left atrial volume (OR 1.15, P = .49).

CONCLUSIONS

In an asymptomatic, low-intermediate-risk group, mechanistic processes that lead to atherosclerosis are not directly associated with subclinical LV dysfunction.

Role of Coronary Calcium Score to Identify Candidates for ASCVD Prevention

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In this review, we describe the mechanism behind coronary artery calcification formation and detection, as well as its implication in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk stratification, intervention, and prognosis in asymptomatic individuals.

RECENT FINDINGS

Multiple cohort and population studies have shown that coronary artery calcium scoring is effective and reproducible in predicting the risk for cardiovascular disease. The updated 2018 ACC/AHA guideline has incorporated consideration of coronary artery calcification testing into cardiovascular disease risk stratification and therapy guidance. Coronary artery calcification's evidence-based role in detection, risk stratification, and ultimately its unique influence on therapeutic intervention and prognosis of cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic population is increasingly being recognized..

Progression of Coronary Artery Calcium and Incident Heart Failure: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Background

Although the association between coronary artery calcium (CAC) and future heart failure (HF) has been shown previously, the value of CAC progression in the prediction of HF has not been investigated. In this study, we investigated the association of CAC progression with subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and incident HF in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results

The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis is a population‐based study consisting of 6814 men and women aged 45 to 84, free of overt cardiovascular disease at enrollment, who were recruited from 4 ethnicities. We included 5644 Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants who had baseline and follow‐up cardiac computed tomography and were free of HF and coronary heart disease before the second cardiac computed tomography. Mean (±SD) age was 61.7±10.2 years and 47.2% were male. The Cox proportional hazard models and multivariable linear regression models were deployed to determine the association of CAC progression with incident HF and subclinical LV dysfunction, respectively. Over a median follow‐up of 9.6 (interquartile range: 8.8–10.6) years, 182 participants developed incident HF. CAC progression of 10 units per year was associated with 3% of increased risk of HF independent of overt coronary heart disease (P=0.008). In 2818 participants with available cardiac magnetic resonance images, CAC progression was associated with increased LV end diastolic volume (β=0.16; P=0.03) and LV end systolic volume (β=0.12; P=0.006) after excluding participants with any coronary heart disease.

Conclusions

CAC progression was associated with incident HF and modestly increased LV end diastolic volume and LV end systolic volume at follow‐up exam independent of overt coronary heart disease.

The Implication of Coronary Artery Calcium Testing for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Diabetes

Over the last two decades coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning has emerged as a quick, safe, and inexpensive method to detect the presence of coronary atherosclerosis. Data from multiple studies has shown that compared to individuals who do not have any coronary calcifications, those with severe calcifications (i.e., CAC score >300) have a 10-fold increase in their risk of coronary heart disease events and cardiovascular disease. Conversely, those that have a CAC of 0 have a very low event rate (~0.1%/year), with data that now extends to 15 years in some studies. Thus, the most notable implication of identifying CAC in individuals who do not have known cardiovascular disease is that it allows targeting of more aggressive therapies to those who have the highest risk of having future events. Such identification of risk is especially important for individuals who are not on any therapies for coronary heart disease, or when intensification of treatment is being considered but has an uncertain role. This review will highlight some of the recent data on CAC testing, while focusing on the implications of those findings on patient management. The evolving role of CAC in patients with diabetes will also be highlighted.

Left ventricular area on non-contrast cardiac computed tomography as a predictor of incident heart failure - The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

The use of non-contrast cardiac computed tomography measurements to predict heart failure (HF) has not been studied. In the present study we evaluated the prognostic value of left ventricular area adjusted for the body surface area (LVA-BSA) measured by non-contrast cardiac CT to predict incident HF and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events.

METHODS

We studied left ventricular dimensions and calculated LVA-BSA in 6781 participants of the MESA study (mean age: was 62 ± 10 years, 53% females; 62% non-white) free from prior HF who underwent non-contrast cardiac CT to evaluate the coronary artery calcium score (CAC) at baseline and were followed up for a median of 10.2 years.

RESULTS

During follow up, 237 (3.5%) incident HF and 475 (7.0%) CVD events occurred. After adjustment for clinical variables and CAC, LVA-BSA was significantly associated with incident HF (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.10 per 100 mm2/m2, p < 0.001) and CVD events (HR: 1.07 per 100 mm2/m2, p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve for the prediction of incident HF improved from 0.787 on a model including only risk factors to 0.798 when CAC was added (p = 0.02), and to 0.816 with the additional inclusion of LVA-BSA (p = 0.007). Similar improvements for the prediction of CVD events were noted.

CONCLUSION

In an ethnically diverse population of asymptomatic individuals free from baseline CVD or HF, the left ventricular area measured by non-contrast cardiac CT is a strong predictor of incident HF events beyond traditional risk factors and CAC score.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Population-Based Study in Northeast China

BACKGROUND

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has attracted increasing attention worldwide. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of HFpEF and analyze its correlates in a sample of residents of northeast China;

METHODS

A population-based study of 2230 participants ≥35 years old was conducted in rural areas of Liaoning Province from January 2012 through August 2013. Information about lifestyle and other potential risk factors was obtained. HFpEF was diagnosed according to the recommendations of European Society of Cardiology;

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of HFpEF was 3.5% (1.8% in men and 4.9% in women). The prevalence of HFpEF increased with age in both genders and was greater in women than in men for every age group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found that female gender (OR, 3.575; 95% CI, 1.761-7.256), hypertension (OR, 3.711; 95% CI, 2.064-6.674), and history of heart disease (2.086; 95% CI, 1.243-3.498) were associated factors for prevalent HFpEF;

CONCLUSIONS

In a general population from rural northeast China, we found that female gender, hypertension, and history of heart disease were risk factors for prevalent HFpEF.

Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease and Death, Dementia, and Coronary Heart Disease in Patients 80+ Years

BACKGROUND

The successful prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke has resulted in a substantial increase in longevity, with subsequent growth in the population of older people at risk for dementia.

OBJECTIVES

The authors evaluated the relationship of coronary and other peripheral atherosclerosis to risk of death, dementia, and CHD in the very elderly. Because the extent of vascular disease differs substantially between men and women, sex- and race-specific analyses were included, with a specific focus on women with low coronary artery calcium (CAC) Agatston scores.

METHODS

We evaluated the relationship between measures of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CAC, carotid intimal medial thickness, stenosis, and ankle brachial index) and risk of dementia, CHD, and total mortality in 532 participants of the Cardiovascular Health Study-Cognition Study from 1998/1999 (mean age, 80 years) to 2012/2013 (mean age, 93 years).

RESULTS

Thirty-six percent of participants had CAC scores >400. Women and African-Americans had lower CAC scores. Few men had low CAC scores. CAC score and number of coronary calcifications were directly related to age-adjusted total mortality and CHD. The age-specific incidence of dementia was higher than for CHD. Only about 25% of deaths were caused by CHD and 16% by dementia. Approximately 64% of those who died had a prior diagnosis of dementia. White women with low CAC scores had a significantly decreased incidence of dementia.

CONCLUSIONS

In subjects 80+ years of age, there is a greater incidence of dementia than of CHD. CAC, as a marker of atherosclerosis, is a determinant of mortality, and risk of CHD and myocardial infarction. White women with low CAC scores had a significantly decreased risk of dementia. A very important unanswered question, especially in the very elderly, is whether prevention of atherosclerosis and its complications is associated with less Alzheimer disease pathology and dementia. (Cardiovascular Health Study [CHS]; NCT00005133).

An increase in the coronary calcification score is associated with an increased risk of heart failure in patients without a history of coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

The presence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and its severity predict future cardiovascular events and is used for risk stratification. However, the association of CAC with heart failure (HF) in patients without a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the correlations of CAC with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and HF events in patients without a history of CAD or HF.

METHODS

From June 2010 to June 2013, a total of 487 patients without a history of CAD and HF were enrolled. All of the patients underwent plane multi-detector computed tomography. They were divided into four categories according to CAC scores: ≤10, 11-100, 101-400, and ≥401.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients with high NT-proBNP levels increased with CAC categories (p<0.0001). The CAC score was associated with NT-proBNP levels ≥400pg/ml, with an odds ratio of 2.901 (95% confidence interval: 1.368-6.151, p=0.0055) for CAC scores ≥401 compared with CAC scores of 0-10 after adjustment for confounding factors. During the follow-up period of 497±315 days, nine patients were admitted for HF. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with CAC scores ≥401 had a lower rate of freedom from admission for HF with cumulative incidences of 0.4%, 1%, 2%, and 8% for CAC scores of 0-10, 11-100, 101-400, and ≥401, respectively (p<0.0001). Increasing CAC scores were associated with an increase in incidence of admission for HF, with a hazard ratio of 10.371 for CAC scores ≥401 (95% CI: 1.062-101.309, p=0.0443) compared with CAC scores of 0-10 after adjustment for risk factors.

CONCLUSION

Severe CAC is an independent determinant of high NT-proBNP levels and a predictor of admission for HF in a population without a history of CAD or HF.

Association between coronary artery calcification and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in elderly people

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is associated with the incidence of congestive heart failure. We evaluated the association between CAC and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in elderly patients without coronary artery disease. Coronary computed tomography was performed in 1,021 consecutive patients >55 years of age who were suspected of having coronary artery disease. A total of 530 patients (age, 70 ± 8 years; 56 % men) with a LV ejection fraction >50 % and without obstructive coronary artery disease and a history of coronary artery disease were included in the analysis. LVDD was defined according to a standard algorithm by echocardiography (septal e' <8, lateral e' <10, and left atrial volume index ≥34 mL/m(2)). A total of 224 of 530 patients had LVDD. CAC scores in patients with LVDD were higher than those in patients without LVDD (p < 0.01). The prevalence of LVDD in patients with CAC scores ≥400 was greater than that in patients with CAC scores of 0-9 (58 vs. 34 %, p < 0.01). After adjustment for confounding factors, the CAC score was associated with LVDD, with an odds ratio of 1.96 (95 % confidence interval: 1.11-3.43, p = 0.02) for a CAC score ≥400 compared with a CAC score of 0-9. A CAC score ≥400 was associated with LVDD in elderly patients without CAD in this population. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the clinical relevance of CAC as a risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Prevalence of symptomatic heart failure with reduced and with normal ejection fraction in an elderly general population-the CARLA study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is one of the most important public health concerns in the industrialized world having increasing incidence and prevalence. Although there are several studies describing the prevalence of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF) and heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) in selected populations, there are few data regarding the prevalence and the determinants of symptomatic heart failure in the general population.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data of a population-based German sample (1,779 subjects aged 45-83 years) were analyzed to determine the prevalence and determinants of chronic SHF and HFNEF defined according to the European Society of Cardiology using symptoms, echocardiography and serum NT-proBNP. Prevalence was age-standardized to the German population as of December 31st, 2005.

RESULTS

The overall age-standardized prevalence of symptomatic CHF was 7.7% (95%CI 6.0-9.8) for men and 9.0% (95%CI 7.0-11.5) for women. The prevalence of CHF strongly increased with age from 3.0% among 45-54- year-old subjects to 22.0% among 75-83- year-old subjects. Symptomatic HFREF could be shown in 48% (n = 78), symptomatic HFNEF in 52% (n = 85) of subjects with CHF. The age-standardized prevalence of HFREF was 3.8 % (95%CI 2.4-5.8) for women and 4.6 % (95%CI 3.6-6.3) for men. The age-standardized prevalence of HFNEF for women and men was 5.1 % (95%CI 3.8-7.0) and 3.0 % (95%CI 2.1-4.5), respectively. Persons with CHF were more likely to have hypertension (PR = 3.4; 95%CI 1.6-7.3) or to have had a previous myocardial infarction (PR = 2.5, 95%CI 1.8-3.5).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of symptomatic CHF appears high in this population compared with other studies. While more women were affected by HFNEF than men, more male subjects suffered from HFREF. The high prevalence of symptomatic CHF seems likely to be mainly due to the high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in this population.

Coronary calcification and the risk of heart failure in the elderly: the Rotterdam Study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine the association of coronary artery calcification (CAC) with incident heart failure in the elderly and examine its independence of overt coronary heart disease (CHD).

BACKGROUND

Heart failure is often observed as a first manifestation of coronary atherosclerosis rather than a sequela of overt CHD. Although numerous studies have shown that CAC, an established measure of coronary atherosclerosis, is a strong predictor of CHD, the association between CAC and future heart failure has not been studied prospectively.

METHODS

In the Rotterdam Study, a population-based cohort, 1,897 asymptomatic participants (mean age, 69.9 years; 58% women) underwent CAC scoring and were followed for the occurrence of heart failure and CHD.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 6.8 years, there were 78 cases of heart failure and 76 cases of nonfatal CHD. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, increasing CAC scores were associated with heart failure (p for trend = 0.001), with a hazard ratio of 4.1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7 to 10.1) for CAC scores >400 compared with CAC scores of 0 to 10. After censoring participants for incident nonfatal CHD, increasing extent of CAC remained associated with heart failure (p for trend = 0.046), with a hazard ratio of 2.9 (95% CI: 1.1 to 7.4) for CAC scores >400. Moreover, adding CAC to cardiovascular risk factors resulted in an optimism-corrected increase in the c-statistic by 0.030 (95% CI: 0.001 to 0.050) to 0.734 (95% CI: 0.698 to 0.770) and substantially improved the risk classification of subjects (continuous net reclassification index = 34.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

CAC has a clear association with the risk of heart failure, independent of overt CHD. Because heart failure is highly prevalent in the elderly, it might be worthwhile to include heart failure as an outcome in future risk assessment programs incorporating CAC.

Vascular calcification: pathophysiology and risk factors

Vascular calcification can occur in nearly all arterial beds and in both the medial and intimal layers. The initiating factors and clinical consequences depend on the underlying disease state and location of the calcification. The best studied manifestation is coronary artery calcification, in part because of the obvious clinical consequences, but also because of CT-based imaging modalities. In the general population, the presence of coronary artery calcification increases cardiovascular risk above that predicted by traditional Framingham risk factors, suggesting the presence of nontraditional risk factors. In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), coronary artery calcification is more prevalent and markedly more severe than in the general population. In these CKD patients, nontraditional risk factors such as oxidative stress, advanced glycation end products, and disordered mineral metabolism are also more prevalent and more severe and offer mechanistic insight into the pathogenesis of vascular calcification.