Prevention & lipidsMeta-analysis
Coronary artery calcium and the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality in younger adults: a meta-analysis
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
- PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL searched through May 2022
Authors' conclusion
In a meta-analysis of younger adults undergoing CAC scoring, a CAC of 1-100 was associated with a higher likelihood of cardiovascular events, while a CAC > 100 was associated with a higher likelihood of cardiovascular events and mortality.
Study context
- Population
- Primary prevention cohorts of younger adults (under age 55) undergoing coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring; average age 43.1, mean follow-up 12.1 years
- Participants
- 45,919 participants · 6 observational studies
- Comparison
- CAC present vs CAC of 0
- Outcome
- CV events and mortality
Pooled result
Adverse events, presence of CAC
Pooled hazard ratio
1.80
95% CI 1.26–2.56
P = 0.012
CAC present vs CAC 0
pooled HR 1.80 (95% CI 1.26–2.56); P = 0.012
As reported in the abstract
Further pooled results
| Outcome | pooled HR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CV events, by CAC category — CAC 1-100 vs CAC 0 · I2 = 50.3 | 1.85 (1.08–3.16) | P = 0.0248 | |
| CV events, by CAC category — CAC > 100 vs CAC 0 · I2 = 72.6 | 6.57 (3.23–13.36) | P < 0.0001 | |
| Mortality, by CAC category — CAC 1-100 vs CAC 0 | 1.20 (0.85–1.69) | P = 0.2917 | |
| Mortality, by CAC category — CAC > 100 vs CAC 0 | 2.91 (2.23–3.80) | P < 0.0001 | |
| 0.050.21520Pooled hazard ratio (log scale) |
Original publication
Coronary artery calcium and the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality in younger adults: a meta-analysis. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 19 December 2023. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwad399
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it