Calcium Density as a Marker of Coronary Plaque Stabilization in Primary Prevention
- post hoc analysis
- CAUGHT-CAD trial
- randomized
- serial coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) at baseline and 3 years
+3 more
- CAUGHT-CAD trial
- randomized
- serial coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) at baseline and 3 years
Authors' conclusion
In asymptomatic, intermediate-risk individuals, statin treatment was associated with a shift toward higher density calcium within coronary plaques, most marked with effective lowering of LDL-C. (Coronary Artery Calcium Score: Use to Guide Management of Hereditary Coronary Artery Disease [CAUGHT-CAD]; ACTRN12614001294640).
Study context
- Population
- Asymptomatic, statin-naive, intermediate-risk individualsEight hundred forty lesions included
- Participants
- 338 participants
- Comparison
- randomized to a primary prevention strategy vs usual care
- statin treatedn = 161
- Primary endpoint
- per-lesion level change in volumes of calcified plaque subtypes
- Follow-up
- 3 years
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Per-lesion level change in volumes of calcified plaque subtypes
- Intermediate-density calcium, greater progression; SE = 0.39
- β 0.89; P = 0.02
- High-density calcium, greater progression; SE = 0.24
- β 0.79; P = 0.001
- Noncalcified plaque, regression; SE = 1.64
- β −9.83; P < 0.001
Further findings
| Outcome | β | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium density progression with LDL-C reduction ≥30%, among statin-treated participants (subgroup) — LDL-C reduction ≥30% · high-density calcium; SE = 0.49 | 1.11 | P = 0.03 |
| Calcium density progression with LDL-C reduction ≥30%, among statin-treated participants (subgroup) — LDL-C reduction ≥30% · very high density calcium; SE = 0.85 | 1.68 | P = 0.04 |
Original publication
Calcium Density as a Marker of Coronary Plaque Stabilization in Primary Prevention. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. Published 15 October 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it