Accelerated progression of coronary calcification: four-year follow-up in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively assess the 4-year progression rate of coronary artery calcium (CAC) in patients with clinically stable coronary artery disease (CAD) with multi-detector row computed tomography (CT).


METHODS
The study group consisted of 382 consecutive patients. All underwent baseline dual-sector spiral CT, and CT was repeated at 2 and 4 years later. Progression of CAC was assessed with measurement of the increase in total calcium score (TCS) and with repeated-measures analysis and multivariate linear regression models. Logistic regression model was used to predict incidence of new lesions.


RESULTS
Eighty-seven percent (333 of 382) of the study group were men, with mean age of 65 years +/- 11, and 13% (49 of 382) were women, with mean age of 68 years +/- 11. The average TCS increased after 4 years by sixfold from baseline in the 1st quartile, and by four-, two- and 1.5-fold in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartiles of baseline TCS (P <.01), respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis included age; sex; natural logarithm of baseline TCS; history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, current smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and lipid-lowering therapy with cholesterol synthesis enzyme inhibitor (statin); and family history of premature CAD. Results demonstrated that natural logarithm of baseline TCS and history of current smoking were independent predictors of the 4th-year natural logarithm of TCS levels (R(2) = 0.85, P <.001). New lesions were diagnosed in 56 (15%) patients. History of statin therapy (odds ratio = 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.16, 0.77; P <.01), age with an increment of 5 years (odds ratio = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.90; P =.01), and natural logarithm of baseline TCS (odds ratio = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.86; P <.01) were independent predictors for new calcific lesions during 4 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Accelerated progression of CAC during 4 years was found in clinically stable patients with CAD.
Shemesh
Joseph
J
Grace Ballas Research Unit of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Institute and Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Hashomer 52621, Israel. dshemesh@netvision.net.il
Koren-Morag
Nira
N
Apter
Sara
S
Rozenman
Judith
J
Kirwan
Bridget Anne
BA
Itzchak
Yacov
Y
Motro
Michael
M
D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D002118:Calcium