Relation of thoracic aorta calcification on computed tomography and coronary risk factors to obstructive coronary artery disease on angiography.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether thoracic aorta calcification (TAC) on computed tomography (CT) and coronary risk factors had any correlation with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) on angiography. A total of 225 consecutive Japanese patients underwent both thoracic conventional helical CT and coronary angiography. The thoracic aorta was divided into 4 locations according to the aortic anatomy (inner curve of the aortic arch, aortic arch but not on the inner curve, ascending aorta, and thoracic descending aorta). The classified TAC and coronary risk factors were evaluated for the presence or absence of obstructive CAD. TAC was detected in 185 patients; 141 of 225 patients had significant obstructive CAD. All of the 13 patients with no TAC and no coronary risk factors had no CAD. The obstructive CAD rate with 1 thoracic calcified location and with no, 1, or 2 coronary risk factors was 10%, 58%, and 90%, respectively, and each showed a significant difference (p < 0.0001). The combinations of TAC and coronary risk factors with obstructive CAD were 1 or 2 thoracic calcified locations with 3 coronary risk factors, and 3 thoracic calcified locations with more than 2 coronary risk factors. Increasing thoracic calcified locations and increasing coronary risk factors indicated a higher likelihood of CAD.