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Ibrahim M, Suleiman ME, Gandomkar Z, Tavakoli Taba A, Arnott C, Jorm L, Barraclough JY, Barbieri S, Brennan PC. Associations of Breast Arterial Calcifications with Cardiovascular Disease. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2023; 32:529-545. [PMID: 36930147 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2022.0394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including coronary artery disease (CAD), continue to be the leading cause of global mortality among women. While traditional CVD/CAD prevention tools play a significant role in reducing morbidity and mortality among both men and women, current tools for preventing CVD/CAD rely on traditional risk factor-based algorithms that often underestimate CVD/CAD risk in women compared with men. In recent years, some studies have suggested that breast arterial calcifications (BAC), which are benign calcifications seen in mammograms, may be linked to CVD/CAD. Considering that millions of women older than 40 years undergo annual screening mammography for breast cancer as a regular activity, innovative risk prediction factors for CVD/CAD involving mammographic data could offer a gender-specific and convenient solution. Such factors that may be independent of, or complementary to, current risk models without extra cost or radiation exposure are worthy of detailed investigation. This review aims to discuss relevant studies examining the association between BAC and CVD/CAD and highlights some of the issues related to previous studies' design such as sample size, population types, method of assessing BAC and CVD/CAD, definition of cardiovascular events, and other confounding factors. The work may also offer insights for future CVD risk prediction research directions using routine mammograms and radiomic features other than BAC such as breast density and macrocalcifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mu'ath Ibrahim
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mo'ayyad E Suleiman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ziba Gandomkar
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Amir Tavakoli Taba
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Clare Arnott
- Cardiovascular Program, The George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Louisa Jorm
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jennifer Y Barraclough
- Cardiovascular Program, The George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sebastiano Barbieri
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Patrick C Brennan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Kadıoğlu A, Bahadır S. Breast arterial calcifications as an indicator of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: comparative analysis of coronary computed tomography scoring systems and carotid intima-media thickness. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2022; 12:457-469. [PMID: 34993093 DOI: 10.21037/qims-21-98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast arterial calcification (BAC) is easily detected and commonly observed on screening mammography. That is more frequent among people with diabetes, and these people are at risk of coronary artery disease. The incidence of BAC increases with advancing age. We aimed to determine whether BAC detected by mammography is associated with the development of coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic women. It can help reduce morbidity and mortality secondary to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. METHODS We included one hundred and eighty women over the age of 40 who underwent mammography screening in this multi-modality study. Mammography evaluated the presence of calcifications, the number of involved arteries, and the distribution. We questioned the patients about cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes. The coronary artery disease severity was assessed according to both Agatston and calcium scores on coronary computed tomography (CT). Besides, the relationship between these scores and correlation with carotid artery intima-media thickness was investigated. We stated mean and standard deviation (SD) for continuous variables and reported frequency distributions and percentages. SPSS software version 25.0 was used to perform the analysis. RESULTS Overall, 302 of 3,600 cases were positive for BAC. However, 120 of them could be included in the study by the eligibility criteria of our research. In univariate analysis, age, hyperlipidemia, DM, HT, and smoking history were risk factors that significantly affected BAC development. The impact of age and diabetes were maintained in the logistic regression analysis (P<0.005), while the significant effect of the other variables was vanished (P>0.02). Furthermore, moderate and high BAC scores were correlated with higher coronary atherosclerosis scores. CONCLUSIONS BAC may predict an additional risk factor for coronary artery disease, particularly in patients having higher scores. That may be an accurate indicator for subsequent development of coronary arterial calcifications so that it may be possible to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with coronary atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aykut Kadıoğlu
- Radiology Department, Başkent University Alanya Medical Research and Training Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Suzan Bahadır
- Radiology Department, Başkent University Alanya Medical Research and Training Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
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Lee SC, Pirikahu S, Phillips M, Bellinge J, Stone J, Wylie E, Stuckey BGA, Schultz C. Reproductive factors and breast arterial calcification: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Climacteric 2021; 25:147-154. [PMID: 34668812 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2021.1985991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast arterial calcification (BAC) is a common incidental finding on screening mammography. Recent evidence suggests that BAC is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We systematically reviewed the associations between BAC and reproductive factors (menopausal status, hormone replacement therapy [HRT] use, oral contraceptive [OC] use and parity). METHODS MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, references of relevant papers and Web of Science were searched up to February 2020 for English-language studies that evaluated these associations. Study quality were determined and a random effects model was used to assess these associations. RESULTS Nineteen observational studies (n = 47,249; three cohort studies, seven case-control studies, nine cross-sectional studies) were included. BAC was associated with menopause (nine studies; n = 15,870; odds ratio [OR] 2.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50-4.77) and parity (seven studies; n = 27,728; OR 2.50; 95% CI 1.68-3.71) and inversely with HRT use (10 studies; n = 33,156; OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.40-0.80). No association was found with OC use. Eleven studies were considered good in quality. Marked heterogeneity existed across all analyses. CONCLUSIONS BAC is associated with HRT use, menopause and parity. However, careful interpretation is required as marked heterogeneity existed across all analyses. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors may need to be taken into account in future investigations of associations between BAC and reproductive factors. PROSPERO CRD42020141644.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Lee
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - S Pirikahu
- Genetic Epidemiology Group, School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - M Phillips
- Centre for Medical Research (affiliated with the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research), University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - J Bellinge
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - J Stone
- Genetic Epidemiology Group, School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - E Wylie
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Department of Radiology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - B G A Stuckey
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Keogh Institute for Medical Research, Perth, WA, Australia.,Department of Endocrinology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - C Schultz
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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Is breast arterial calcification associated with coronary artery disease?-A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236598. [PMID: 32722699 PMCID: PMC7386618 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence that breast arterial calcification (BAC), an incidental finding on 3-29% of mammograms, could be used to screen for coronary artery disease (CAD). We conducted a systematic review to assess the associations between BAC and CAD and its risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and smoking). METHODS AND FINDINGS MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and references of relevant papers were searched up to 18 February 2020 for English language studies that evaluated the associations of BAC and CAD and its risk factors. A single reviewer extracted all data and assessed study quality with verification by another independent reviewer, if required. Across 31 studies (n = 35,583; 3 longitudinal and 28 cross-sectional studies) that examined the association of BAC and CAD, the OR was 2.61 (95% CI 2.12-3.21; I2 = 71%). Sub-analysis of studies that graded BAC severity using the 4- (4 studies) or 12-point scale systems (3 studies) revealed an association with CAD and moderate-severe BAC (OR 4.83 (95%CI 1.50-15.54) and OR 2.95 (95%CI 1.49-5.84), respectively) but not mild BAC (OR 2.04 (95%CI 0.82-5.05) and OR 1.08 (95%CI 0.42-2.75), respectively). BAC was associated with hypertension (42 studies; n = 32,646; OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.47-2.21; I2 = 85%) and diabetes mellitus (51 studies; n = 53,464; OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.82-2.59; I2 = 75%) but not with hypercholesterolemia (OR 1.31; 95%CI 0.97-1.77; I2 = 67%). Smoking was inversely associated with BAC (35 studies; n = 40,002; OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.42-0.70; I2 = 83%). Studies mostly included symptomatic women. Marked heterogeneity existed and publication bias may be present. CONCLUSIONS BAC is associated with CAD, diabetes mellitus and hypertension and inversely associated with smoking. Whether BAC could screen for CAD cannot be determined from current published data due to the lack of larger prospective studies. A consensus approach to quantifying BAC may also facilitate further translation into clinical care. PROSPERO: CRD42020141644.
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Evaluation of mammography detected breast arterial calcifications as a predictor of coronary cardiac risk. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2019. [DOI: 10.1186/s43055-019-0095-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death so detection of breast arterial calcifications on annually screening mammography can predict the possibility of future cardiovascular problems.
Results
The 100 female patients were divided into two groups according to age: 1st group with age ranging from 40 to 60 years and 2nd group with age ranging from 61 to 80 years. There is increased percentage of cardiac cases among the BAC-positive patients in the 2nd group with a significant p value = 0.022 and this proved that there was a correlation between presence of BAC and being a cardiac case in the 2nd group, unlike the 1st group which showed no correlation.
Conclusion
Incidental detection of breast arterial calcification in mammography in females above 60 years warrants further evaluation of their coronary atherosclerotic state and risk of future development of serious coronary artery disease.
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Screening Mammography Findings in Women With Chronic Kidney Disease on a Renal Transplant Waiting List. Clin Breast Cancer 2019; 19:e433-e439. [PMID: 30837172 DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of breast cancer has been reported to be increased in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Thus, breast cancer screening is stated to be mandatory. However, it is as yet unclear what age group or what type of breast structure indicate a need for mammography. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of age and breast parenchymal density on mammography findings. The rate of detection of calcification from mammographies increased in dialysis patients with CKD. The associations of calcifications with comorbid pathologies were also evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were divided into the two age groups of 40 to 49.9 years and ≥ 50 years. The patients were asked about smoking habits, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, the pathology that caused CKD, state of hemodialysis, and, if relevant, the type and duration of dialysis. RESULTS The mean age of the 55 patients included in this study was 54.8 years, and 78.2% (n = 43) were ≥ 50 years old. The rate of malignancy across the entire group was 3.6%. No association was found between breast arterial calcification and cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, state of dialysis, duration of dialysis, and breast parenchymal density in any age group. CONCLUSION A pretransplantation evaluation of CKD patients may include a breast screening program for patients aged 40 to 49.9 and for the patients aged ≥ 50. Breast parenchymal density was demonstrated to have no effect on the findings, and no association was found between calcifications and comorbid pathologies.
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Erbil D, Onal EM, Demirel C, Sag AA, Dagel T, Afsar B, Covic A, Kanbay M. Can Incidental Vascular Calcifications at Mammography be Used as a Screening Biomarker for Heart and Kidney Disease? Angiology 2018; 70:210-219. [PMID: 29886750 DOI: 10.1177/0003319718779322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Mammography is a screening test with extensive international application and financial infrastructure promoting accessibility and affordability. Designed specifically to detect microcalcifications, mammography is powered to detect calcifications in vessel walls. Breast arterial calcifications (BAC) are one of the most common incidental findings documented by mammography. This review considers the literature regarding BAC in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors. The aim is to assess the possibility of using BAC as an early surrogate imaging biomarker of CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damla Erbil
- Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Emine M Onal
- Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Alan A Sag
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Eastern Virginia School of Medicine, Norfolk, VA, USA.,Medical Center Radiologists, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
| | - Tuncay Dagel
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Baris Afsar
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University School of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Adrian Covic
- Department of Nephrology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Gr. T. Popa," Iasi, Romania
| | - Mehmet Kanbay
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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Ronzani FAT, Kirchmaier FM, Monteze NM, Magacho EJDC, Bastos MG, Fernandes NMDS. Routine mammography: an opportunity for the diagnosis of chronic degenerative diseases? A cross-sectional study. Radiol Bras 2017; 50:82-89. [PMID: 28428650 PMCID: PMC5396997 DOI: 10.1590/0100-3984.2015.0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate breast arterial calcification (BAC)
detected on routine mammography, analyzing its association with chronic
degenerative disease. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study involving women treated at a specialized
outpatient clinic for high-risk hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney
disease, as well as volunteers who participated in a study to validate a
method of screening for occult renal disease. A total of 312 patients
between 40 and 69 years of age, with no history of breast cancer, all of
whom had undergone routine mammography in the last two years, were included.
The mammograms were analyzed by researchers who were unaware of the risk
factors for BAC in each case. Results The mean age was 55.9 ± 7.4 years, and 64.3% of the patients were
white. The mean glomerular filtration rate was 41.87 ± 6.23
mL/min/1.73 m2. Seventy-one patients (22.8%) had BAC. We found
that BAC was associated with advanced age, hypertension, diabetes, chronic
kidney disease, and low glomerular filtration rate. In the multivariate
analysis, advanced age and diabetes continued to be associated with BAC. The
odds ratio for BAC was higher for all chronic diseases. Conclusion The association of BAC with advanced age, hypertension, diabetes, chronic
kidney disease, and low glomerular filtration rate should call the attention
of radiologists. Therefore, the presence of BAC should be reported, and
patients with BAC should be screened for those diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávio Augusto Teixeira Ronzani
- MSc, Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Medicine, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Filomena Maria Kirchmaier
- Nurse, Department of Clinical Medicine, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Nathália Mussi Monteze
- MD, Department of Clinical Medicine, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Marcus Gomes Bastos
- MD, PhD, Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Center for Studies, Research, and Treatment in Nephrology, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
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Hendriks EJE, de Jong PA, van der Graaf Y, Mali WPTM, van der Schouw YT, Beulens JWJ. Breast arterial calcifications: a systematic review and meta-analysis of their determinants and their association with cardiovascular events. Atherosclerosis 2014; 239:11-20. [PMID: 25568948 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Revised: 11/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Breast arterial calcifications (BAC), regularly observed at mammography, are medial calcifications and as such an expression of arteriosclerosis. Our objective was to evaluate and summarize the available evidence on the associations of BAC with cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular risk. METHODS A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted. Embase and PubMed databases were searched. After critical appraisal, odds ratios were extracted from studies of moderate or good quality that examined risk factors for BAC or associations of BAC with cardiovascular disease. Random effects model meta-analyses were used to calculate pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). RESULTS BAC prevalence is around 12.7% among women in breast cancer screening programs. Increasing age (pooled OR 2.98 [95%CI 2.31-3.85] for every 10 years), diabetes (pooled OR: 1.88 [95%CI 1.36-2.59]) and parity as opposed to nulliparity (pooled OR 3.43 [95%CI 2.23-5.27]) are associated with higher BAC prevalence. Smoking is associated with lower BAC prevalence (pooled OR 0.48 [95%CI 0.39-0.60]). No associations were found with hypertension, obesity or dyslipidemia. Although longitudinal studies (n = 3) were scarce, BAC appear to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease events (adjusted hazard ratios for coronary heart disease ranging from 1.32 [95%CI 1.08-1.60] to 1.44 [95%CI1.02-2.05]). CONCLUSION BAC appear to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease events, while only being associated with some of the known cardiovascular risk factors, illustrating that medial arterial calcification might contribute to cardiovascular disease through a pathway distinct from the intimal atherosclerotic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva J E Hendriks
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Pim A de Jong
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Yolanda van der Graaf
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Willem P Th M Mali
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Yvonne T van der Schouw
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joline W J Beulens
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Breast arterial calcification (BAC), observed as an incidental finding on screening mammograms, represents degenerative calcific changes occurring in the mammary arteries, with increasing age. The aim of this review is to discuss relevant literature examining relation between BAC and atherosclerosis. After a thorough literature search, in OVID and PubMed, 199 studies were identified, of which 25 were relevant to our review. Data were abstracted from each study and statistical analysis was done, including calculation of odds ratios and construction of forest plots. A total of 35,542 patients were enrolled across 25 studies looking at an association between BAC and coronary artery disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cerebral artery disease, carotid and peripheral artery diseases, and coronary artery calcification. A majority of the studies showed a statistically significant relation between BAC and presence of coronary artery disease cardiovascular disease and associated mortality. Sensitivity of BAC in predicting cardiovascular events was low, but specificity was high. BAC was predictive of incident and prevalent stroke but not mortality of stroke. Similarly, BAC was predictive of cerebral, carotid, and peripheral artery diseases. The role of BAC as a surrogate marker of coronary and systemic atherosclerosis is currently uncertain. Its role may be further elucidated by more large-scale prospective studies and clinical experience.
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