Analysis of coronary calcifications versus Framingham and PROCAM risk assessment in patients with a first myocardial infarction.
We compared the extent of coronary calcifications as quantified by electron beam tomography (EBT) to the predicted 10-year cardiovascular event risk based on Framingham and PROCAM algorithms in patients with a first myocardial infarction (MI).


METHODS
In 156 patients (56.7 +/- 22 years), EBT was performed <4 weeks after MI. Coronary calcifications were quantified using the "Agatston Score" and age-related calcium percentiles were determined. The predicted 10-year event risk was determined using Framingham and PROCAM algorithms.


RESULTS
Coronary calcifications were present in 148 patients with a mean "Agatston Score" of 589.2 +/- 976. The "Agatston Score" was >400 in 44% and >90th percentile in 42% of the patients. Framingham risk was >20% in 32% and PROCAM risk was >20% in 28%.


CONCLUSIONS
Coronary calcifications were detected in the vast majority of patients with a first MI, independent from the patient's age. The determination of age-related percentiles was superior to the Framingham or PROCAM algorithm.
Pohle
Karsten
K
Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Erlangen, Germany. Karsten_Pohle@yahoo.de
Ropers
Dieter
D
Geitner
Patricia
P
Regenfus
Matthias
M
Daniel
Werner G
WG
Achenbach
Stephan
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed