Cardiovasc Imaging Asia.  2021 Apr;5(2):37-43. 10.22468/cvia.2020.00115.

Age and Gender-Based Coronary Artery Calcium Scores in a Middle Eastern Population

• Tabbalat RA
• Khader YS
• Hammoudeh AJ
• Alhaddad IA

• KMID: 2515033
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22468/cvia.2020.00115

Abstract

Objective
Quantification of coronary artery calcium (CAC) has been reported in selected cohorts in USA, Europe, and South America. In the present study, the age- and gender-stratified CAC score (CACS) in a Middle Eastern cohort referred for coronary CT angiography (CCTA) was reported.
Materials and Methods
Consecutive patients referred for CCTA and CACS were included in the present study. Patients with previous percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, or myocardial infarction were excluded. CACS was determined using the Agatston score in all patients prior to contrast injection. Patients were divided based on gender and then into eight age strata.
Results
A total of 2564 Middle Eastern patients (37.2% women, 69.6% Jordanians) 19–93 years of age were included in the present study. Men had higher CACS than women (215.4±544.8 vs. 158.1±443.6, p=0.006) and the prevalence and amount of calcium increased steadily with age in both genders. CAC burden significantly increased with every additional modifiable risk factor (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and cigarette smoking); subjects without risk factors had a mean CACS of 83 and subjects with all four risk factors a mean CACS of 359.
Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in which CAC burden in a Middle Eastern population referred for CCTA was characterized. Men had higher CACS than women. CAC burden increased with advancing age and with increasing number of modifiable risk factors. Additional studies are necessary to determine the clinical significance of these findings.

Keyword

Coronary artery calcium score; Computed tomography angiography; Risk factors; Agatston score