Vascular age based on coronary calcium burden and carotid intima media thickness (a comparative study).

BACKGROUND: Considering the importance of vascular age in the risk assessment of cardiovascular events and the presence of different methods for its estimation, this study aims to evaluate and compare vascular age according to coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) and carotid ultrasonography.

METHODS: This study was conducted in Isfahan on patients who underwent CACS and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) assessments within 30 days. In patients who were candidates for CACS, calcium score was measured, then they were invited for carotid ultrasonography, and CIMT was measured. Vascular age was estimated based on these methods using available formulas.

RESULTS: In this study, 115 patients were enrolled. (Male 52.2%, female 47.8%). The mean chronological age was 59.08 ± 14.90 years old. The mean calcium score (CS) of patients was 48.23 ± 63.34. Mean CIMT was 0.73 ± 0.15 mm. The mean vascular age derived by CS and CIMT was 58.64 ± 12.63 and 53.99 ± 17.53 years, respectively. The vascular age obtained by CS was directly related to vascular age based on CIMT ( P -value < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Calcium score is as helpful as CIMT for vascular age estimation.