Coronary Artery Calcium Score Accurately Predicts Cardiovascular Risk
Importance of Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score
Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular risk. A CAC score of zero indicates a low risk of cardiovascular events and death over a 10-year period. This is important information for individuals who are considering preventive measures, such as statin therapy.
Use of SCORE-2-PROCAM and Arriba Instruments
The SCORE-2-PROCAM and arriba instruments can help predict the 10-year overall risk for fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. These instruments take into account a number of factors, including age, sex, smoking status, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Role of CAC Score in Statin Management
The 2018 multisociety guidelines on cholesterol management recommend that the CAC score can help guide statin therapy. Individuals with a CAC score of zero may be able to safely reduce or discontinue statin therapy, while individuals with a high CAC score may need to intensify their statin therapy.
CAC Score as a Marker of Subclinical Atherosclerosis
Coronary artery calcium is a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. The CAC score correlates with total coronary plaque burden and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events.
Table 1: Statin Dosing and ACCAHA Classification of Intensity
| Statin | Dosages | Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| Atorvastatin | 10-80 mg | Low |
| Rosuvastatin | 5-40 mg | Moderate |
| Simvastatin | 10-80 mg | High |
| Pravastatin | 10-40 mg | High |
| Fluvastatin | 20-80 mg | Moderate |
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