Abstract
Background and purpose:
Calcified arterial plaque has been proposed as a subclinical marker of atherosclerosis. We compared it to a well-validated surrogate--carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT).
Methods:
Calcified arterial plaque was measured in 2 vascular beds (coronary and carotid) by computed tomography, and common carotid artery IMT was measured by B-mode ultrasonography, in 438 participants.
Results:
Calcium was positively associated with IMT (r=0.36 for coronary and r=0.45 for carotid, both P<0.0001). Correlations were attenuated with adjustment for age, sex, and diabetes.
Conclusions:
Calcified plaque in the coronary and carotid arteries is moderately associated with subclinical atherosclerosis.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Arteriosclerosis / diagnosis
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Arteriosclerosis / diagnostic imaging
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Arteriosclerosis / pathology
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Biomarkers
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Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging*
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Calcinosis / pathology
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Carotid Artery Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
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Carotid Artery Diseases / pathology
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Carotid Artery, Common / diagnostic imaging*
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Carotid Artery, Common / pathology
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Carotid Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
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Carotid Stenosis / pathology
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Coronary Artery Disease / diagnostic imaging*
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Coronary Artery Disease / pathology
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Coronary Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
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Coronary Stenosis / pathology
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / diagnosis
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / diagnostic imaging
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / pathology
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Racial Groups / statistics & numerical data*
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Tomography, X-Ray Computed / statistics & numerical data
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Tunica Intima / diagnostic imaging*
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Tunica Intima / pathology
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Ultrasonography