Prevalence and Prognostic Implication of Non-Calcified Plaque in Asymptomatic Population with Coronary Artery Calcium Score of Zero

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Non-calcified plaque (NCP) identified by coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has been reported in up to 10% of individuals with coronary artery calcium score (CACS) of zero. However, clinical risk factors and the prognostic value of NCP in asymptomatic subjects with CACS of zero are unknown. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of consecutive asymptomatic subjects (48±8 years, 57% men) who underwent CCTA from December 2005 to January 2008 as part of a general health evaluation. RESULTS: Among 4491 of overall asymptomatic individuals with CACS of zero, 313 subjects (7%) had NCP: 279 patients (6%) with non-obstructive and 34 (1%) with obstructive. In multivariable analyses, age, male gender, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were significantly associated with presence of NCP (all p