Breast arterial calcifications are correlated with subsequent development of coronary artery calcifications, but their aetiology is predominantly different.
OBJECTIVE
To study whether calcifications in breast arteries, as seen on mammograms, predict future development of coronary artery calcifications.


METHODS
We studied 499 women, aged 49-70 years, participating in a breast cancer screening program and investigated whether arterial calcifications in the breast (BAC) are associated with coronary arterial calcifications (CAC) after 9 years follow-up. Mammograms were reviewed for the presence of BAC. CAC was assessed by multi slice computed tomography (MSCT). With logistic regression analysis the independent effect of various risk factors on BAC and CAC was measured.


RESULTS
BAC was present in 58 of 499 women (12%) and CAC score>0 was present in 262 of 499 women (53%). BAC was strongly associated with CAC (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.71-6.04) and this remained significant after adjustment for age at baseline and the duration of follow-up (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.10-4.23). Most CV risk factors were associated with CAC but not with BAC. Only parity was significantly associated with both increased CAC (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.21-3.60) and increased BAC (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.23-22.43). Breastfeeding was associated with BAC (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.40-8.23) but not with CAC (OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.84-1.93).


CONCLUSIONS
Breast arterial calcifications are predictive of subsequent development of calcifications in the coronary arteries.
Maas
Angela H E M
AH
Department of Cardiology, Isala Klinieken, Groot Wezenland 20, 8011 JW Zwolle, The Netherlands. a.maas@diagram-zwolle.nl
van der Schouw
Yvonne T
YT
Atsma
Femke
F
Beijerinck
David
D
Deurenberg
Jan J M
JJ
Mali
Willem P Th M
WP
van der Graaf
Y
Y
D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000098:blood supply*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed