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Chaikriangkrai K, Jhun HY, Palamaner Subash Shantha G, Bin Abdulhak A, Sigurdsson G, Nabi F, Mahmarian JJ, Chang SM. Coronary artery calcium score as a predictor for incident stroke: Systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Cardiology. 2017 Jun 1; 236:473-477.
BACKGROUND: Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) is a well-established test for risk stratifying asymptomatic patients for overall cardiovascular or coronary events. However; the prognostic value for incident stroke remains controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the predictive value of CACS obtained by non-contrast electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography for incident stroke. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane databases for prospective longitudinal studies of CACS which reported the incidence of stroke. Incidence of stroke was compared in patients with and without coronary calcification. RESULTS: Three studies evaluated 13,262 asymptomatic patients (mean age = 60years, 50% men) without apparent cardiovascular diseases. During a follow-up of 7.2years (median 5years, range 4.4-9.5years, 95,434patient-years), the overall pooled incidence of stroke was 0.26%/year. The pooled risk ratio of CACS > 0 for incident stroke was 2.95 (95% CI: 2.18-4.01, p < 0.001) compared to CACS = 0. The heterogeneity among studies was low (I2 = 0%). The pooled incidence rate of stroke categorized by CACS was 0.12%/year for CACS 0, 0.26%/year for CACS 1-99, 0.41%/year for CACS 100-399 and 0.70%/year for CACS = 400. CONCLUSIONS: In asymptomatic patients without apparent cardiovascular diseases, the incidence of stroke was overall low. The presence and severity of coronary artery calcification were associated with incident stroke over mid-long term follow-up.