Cardiovascular risk and coronary atherosclerotic plaques detected by multidetector computed tomography

Abstract

CV risk stratification using only risk factor-based scores is a weak discriminator of the overall CAP burden in individual patients. Many patients with low FRS or SCORE with substantial CAP might be undertreated or not treated at all.

Relationship between Framingham risk score and subclinical atherosclerosis in carotid plaques: an in vivo study using multi-contrast MRI

“…Similarly, in an electron beam computed tomography study of 662 consecutive outpatients without known CVD, 33.8% of patients who had been classified as low-risk by the FRS had detectable, subclinical coronary artery atherosclerosis. Despite this, they did not meet the criteria for pharmacologic therapy as defined by the FRS (Canpolat et al, 2012). However, previous population-based atherosclerotic imaging studies have largely been limited to carotid ultrasonography for intimal-medial thickness, electron-beam computed tomography for calcium quantification, and single-contrast MRI for plaque morphology (Jaffer et al, 2002;Abe et al, 2016; Canpolat et al, 2012;Michos et al, 2006).…”

Carotid artery plaque in women with rheumatoid arthritis and low estimated cardiovascular disease risk: a cross-sectional study

“…Of interest in the present context, even amongst non-RA subjects, recent investigations have revealed a prevalence of carotid plaque as large as 34 to 59% despite an overall low estimated CVD risk as determined by the Framingham score [ 21 , 22 ]. Additionally, approximately 40% of persons with a low SCORE were found to experience multidetector computed tomography-determined coronary artery plaque that was further also related to traditional CVD risk factors [ 23 ].…”

Carotid ultrasound is useful for the cardiovascular risk stratification in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

“…There are several possible reasons that could explain the discordance between the FRS and carotid US findings. Firstly, CV scoring systems are aimed to predict the risk for CHD or total CVD risk, but a significant percentage of patients with severe atherosclerosis will be missed when those scoring systems are used as the initial risk assessment [ 38 ]. With respect to this, the FRS predicts CV risk morbidity and mortality but it has not been tested for the prediction of subclinical atherosclerosis.…”