Assessing cardiovascular risk with mammography and non-contrast chest CT: A review of the literature and clinical implications

Clin Imaging. 2023 Nov:103:109983. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2023.109983. Epub 2023 Sep 11.

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality and disability globally. In the United States, about 7.2% of adults aged 20 and older are affected by CAD. However, due to its progression over decades, CAD is often undetected and unnoticed until plaque ruptures. This leads to partial or complete artery blockage, resulting in myocardial infarction. Thus, new screening methods for early detection of CAD are needed to prevent and minimize the morbidity and mortality from CAD. Vascular calcifications seen on mammography and non-contrast chest CT (NCCT) can be used for the early detection of CAD and are an accurate predictor of cardiovascular risk. This paper aims to review the basic epidemiology, pathophysiology, imaging findings, and correlation of long-term cardiovascular outcomes with vascular calcifications on mammography and NCCT.

Keywords: Cardiovascular risk; Coronary artery disease; Diagnostic radiology; Mammography; Non-contrast chest CT.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Coronary Angiography / methods
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / epidemiology
  • Heart Disease Risk Factors
  • Humans
  • Mammography / methods
  • Risk Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Vascular Calcification* / diagnostic imaging