title: Association of aortic root calcification severity with the extent of coronary artery calcification assessed by calcium-scoring dual-source computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between aortic root calcification (ARC) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) assessed by coronary artery calcium-scoring dual-source computed tomography (DSCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed 143 consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery calcium-scoring during coronary DSCT angiography. 57 patients had findings of ARC on calcium-scoring scans. ARC volume (ARCV) and Agatston coronary artery calcium score (CACS) were calculated. Chi-square test was used to assess differences of categorical variables between patients with and without ARC. Statistical significances between both groups were assessed with the independent-Sample t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with patients without ARC (n=86), patients with ARC (n=57) showed a significantly higher presence of CAC (87.7% vs. 24.4%; P<0.001), and a higher mean CACS (700.6 ± 941.2 vs. 256.4 ± 724.3; P=0.009) in patients with CAC. Patients with a calculated ARCV > 40 mm(3) (n=32) showed significantly higher rates of severe CAC (56.3% vs. 24.0%; P=0.014) compared with patients with an ARCV< 40 mm(3) (n=25). Compared with patients without CAC (n=42), patients with CAC (n=101) showed a significantly higher presence of ARC (83.3% vs. 50.5%; P<0.001) and a higher mean ARCV (95.4 ± 116.2mm(3) vs. 29.7 ± 33.0 mm(3); P=0.003). Severe CAC (n=24) correlated with an increased mean ARCV (122.3 ± 148.8mm(3)) compared to patients with minimal to moderate CAC (n=33, mean ARCV: 61.9 ± 64.8mm(3); P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The extent of ARC is directly associated with the presence and degree of CAC on calcium-scoring scans during coronary DSCT angiography.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Xiaohan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Frellesen
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: J Matthias
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kerl
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Ralf W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beeres
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bodelle
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lehnert
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Vogl
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Electronic address: docwichmann@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Julian L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wichmann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium
keywords: Aortic root calcification; Calcium scoring; Coronary artery calcification; Coronary computed tomography angiography; Dual-source computed tomography