Miguel Cainzos-Achirica1,2,3,4, Philip A Di Carlo5, Catherine E Handy6,7, Renato Quispe6, Gerard Roura8, Xavier Pinto9, Roger S Blumenthal6, Josep Comin-Colet8,10, Xavier Corbella9,11,12, Michael J Blaha6,13. 1. Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA. mcainzos@bellvitgehospital.cat. 2. Department of Cardiology, Bellvitge University Hospital and Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 19th Floor, Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. mcainzos@bellvitgehospital.cat. 3. School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. mcainzos@bellvitgehospital.cat. 4. RTI Health Solutions, Pharmacoepidemiology and Risk Management, Barcelona, Spain. mcainzos@bellvitgehospital.cat. 5. Breast Imaging Division, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA. 6. Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA. 7. Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA. 8. Department of Cardiology, Bellvitge University Hospital and Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 19th Floor, Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. 9. Cardiovascular Risk Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Bellvitge University Hospital, 7th Floor, Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. 10. Department of Clinical Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 11. Department of Internal Medicine, Bellvitge University Hospital and Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. 12. Hestia Chair in Integrated Health and Social Care, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. 13. Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss the classic analogy of "coronary artery calcium (CAC) as a mammogram of the heart", by evaluating the conceptual strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a potential cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening strategy using CAC in apparently healthy adults. RECENT FINDINGS: CAC is typically used for further CVD risk assessment. CAC is also currently being used as a screening test in specific subgroups of individuals, particularly in some Asian countries. Although this has yielded valuable insights on the determinants and pathophysiology of CVD, whether this approach results in improved clinical outcomes compared to other assessment and management approaches is currently unclear. Although CAC and mammograms share a number of characteristics, there are also important conceptual differences. The evidence supporting CAC, which is a robust CVD risk assessment tool, for CVD screening purposes is currently very limited, and further research is needed.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss the classic analogy of "coronary artery calcium (CAC) as a mammogram of the heart", by evaluating the conceptual strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a potential cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening strategy using CAC in apparently healthy adults. RECENT FINDINGS: CAC is typically used for further CVD risk assessment. CAC is also currently being used as a screening test in specific subgroups of individuals, particularly in some Asian countries. Although this has yielded valuable insights on the determinants and pathophysiology of CVD, whether this approach results in improved clinical outcomes compared to other assessment and management approaches is currently unclear. Although CAC and mammograms share a number of characteristics, there are also important conceptual differences. The evidence supporting CAC, which is a robust CVD risk assessment tool, for CVD screening purposes is currently very limited, and further research is needed.
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Authors: Rita V Krishnamurthi; Valery L Feigin; Mohammad H Forouzanfar; George A Mensah; Myles Connor; Derrick A Bennett; Andrew E Moran; Ralph L Sacco; Laurie M Anderson; Thomas Truelsen; Martin O'Donnell; Narayanaswamy Venketasubramanian; Suzanne Barker-Collo; Carlene M M Lawes; Wenzhi Wang; Yukito Shinohara; Emma Witt; Majid Ezzati; Mohsen Naghavi; Christopher Murray Journal: Lancet Glob Health Date: 2013-10-24 Impact factor: 26.763
Authors: Mahmoud Al Rifai; Miguel Cainzos-Achirica; Sina Kianoush; Mohammadhassan Mirbolouk; Allison Peng; Josep Comin-Colet; Michael J Blaha Journal: Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med Date: 2018-09-26