Distribution of Coronary Artery Calcium Scores by Framingham 10-Year Risk Strata in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) Potential Implications for Coronary Risk Assessment

Okwuosa, Tochi M.
Greenland, Philip
Ning, Hongyan
Liu, Kiang
Bild, Diane E.
Burke, Gregory L.
Eng, John
Lloyd-Jones, Donald M.

Open link

Publication date

May 2011

DOI

10.1016/j.jacc.2010.11.053

Publisher

American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Abstract

ObjectivesBy examining the distribution of coronary artery calcium (CAC) levels across Framingham risk score (FRS) strata in a large, multiethnic, community-based sample of men and women, we sought to determine if lower-risk persons could benefit from CAC screening.BackgroundThe 10-year FRS and CAC levels are predictors of coronary heart disease. A CAC level of 300 or more is associated with the highest risk for coronary heart disease even in low-risk persons (FRS, <10%); however, expert groups have suggested CAC screening only in intermediate-risk groups (FRS, 10% to 20%).MethodsWe included 5,660 Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants. The number needed to screen (number of people that need to be screened to detect 1 person wit...