CAN CAC SCORING BE USED AS A MEASURE OF THE EXTENT OF CAD IN WOMEN?
Dr. Elif Gündoğdu*, Elif Ergun, Cansu Öztürk and Pınar Nercis Koşar
ABSTRACT
Background: To investigate the correlation between CAC (coronary artery Ca) score and the presence and extent of CAD (coronary artery disease) determined by 64-slice CT coronary angiography in a population of 568 Turkish women. Materials and Methods: 568 women, who underwent CAC scanning and coronary CTA, were included in the study. CT examinations were performed by a 64-slice CT scanner (Toshiba, Aquillon 64, Toshiba Medical Systems, Otowara, Japan.) Sensitivity and specificity of CAC scanning in detecting any degree of CAD (grade1-4) and significant CAD (grade 3-4) were calculated for various thresholds of CAC (0,100,400) for the whole study population as well as for various age groups. Correlation between age and CAC score grade, age and CAD grade and CAC score grade and CAD grade were evaluated by Spearmen test. Results: Sensitivity of CAC scoring in detecting CAD increased and the specificity decreased as the age increased. There was a statistically significant correlation between age and CAC score, between age and CAD grade, and CAC score and CAD grade. Conclusion: CAC correlates well with the presence and extent of CAD and can be used as marker of the disease in women. However caution is required when using this test in young women.
[Full Text Article] [Download Certificate]