1. Home>
2. Physician's First Watch>
3. Medical News

Coronary Calcium Strong Predictor of CHD Across Ethnic Groups

Coronary calcium scores add to the Framingham score's ability to discriminate those most at risk for coronary events, according to a New England Journal of Medicine study.

Researchers measured coronary calcium in some 6700 people without clinical cardiovascular disease. The group comprised roughly 40% white subjects, 30% black, 20% Hispanic, and 10% Chinese; about half were women. Researchers also collected information from which to calculate Framingham risk scores.

After a median follow-up of nearly 4 years, the researchers found a strong correlation between calcium scores and coronary risk — with scores over 100 conferring a sevenfold increase. Prediction accuracy was enhanced when calcium scores were added to Framingham scores.

No differences among ethnic groups were noted.

In Journal Watch Cardiology, Harlan M. Krumholz writes: "What remains unclear is how this test should best be used (or if it should be used at all) to achieve better outcomes for patients."

LINK(S):

NEJM article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription)

NEJM editorial (Subscription required)

Journal Watch Cardiology summary (Free)

Published in Physician's First Watch March 27, 2008