TITLE:
Predictive Factors of the Presence and Number of Noncalcified Coronary Plaque in Japanese Patients with Zero Coronary Artery Calcium Score Using 64-Slice Multi-Detector Computed Tomography
AUTHORS:
Yoshiki Noda, Ryo Matsutera, Yoshinori Yasuoka, Kiyoshi Kume, Hidenori Adachi, Susumu Hattori, Ryo Araki, Motohiro Kosugi, Yasuaki Kohama, Tetsufumi Nakashima, Tatsuya Sasaki
KEYWORDS:
Zero Coronary Artery Calcium Score; Number of Noncalcified Coronary Plaque; 64-Slice Multi-Detector Computed Tomography; Japanese Patients
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Computed Tomography,
Vol.2 No.3,
September
26,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Background: Factors that can predict the presence and number of noncalcified
coronary plaques (NCP) in Japanese patients with zero coronary artery calcium
scores (CACS) essentially remain undefined. Methods and Results: We assessed independent predictors of the
presence and number of segments with NCP in 111 Japanese patients with zero
CACS who underwent 64-slice multi-detector
computed tomography at our hospital. Thirty five patients (32%) had NCP,
and 24 patients (22%) had ≥ 2 NCPs. Multiple logistic regression analysis
revealed that significant predictors for the presence of NCP were age (odds
ratio [OR]: 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 - 1.11, p
= 0.021), male (OR: 3.61, 95% CI 1.40 - 9.35, p = 0.008) and diabetes mellitus (OR:
3.10, 95% CI 1.02 - 9.45, p = 0.046), and those for the presence of ≥ 2 NCPs
were age (OR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 - 1.15, p = 0.007) and a current smoking habit
(OR: 5.09, 95% CI 1.00 - 25.74, p = 0.049). Multiple linear regression
analysis identified advanced age, male gender and diabetes mellitus as
independent predictors of the number of NCPs. A novel score calculated from the
above four predictors showed moderate accuracy for a diagnosis of NCP and ≥ 2 NCPs,
with areas under receiver operating curves of 0.738 and 0.736, respectively. Conclusions: Male Japanese patients
with zero CACS, advanced age, diabetes mellitus and a current smoking habit
might have NCPs.