Pooled cohort risk equation and subclinical cerebrovascular diseases.

Abstract

In 2013, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) introduced a novel pooled cohort risk (PCR) model for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between the PCR score and cerebral large- and small-vessel diseases (cLVD and cSVD) in a healthy population, METHODS: We assessed consecutive health check-up volunteers from 2006 to 2013. We calculated the estimated 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk as the PCR score based on the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines. We evaluated both cSVD/cLVD, including the prevalence of cLVD, lacunes and cerebral microbleed (CMB), and the volume of white matter hyperintensity (WMH). In addition to PCR score, the risk factors that were associated with outcome variables at P<0.10 in univariate analysis were included for further multivariable linear or regression analyses. A total of 2720 participants were evaluated (mean age, 57years, male sex, 54%). In multivariable analysis, PCR score was associated with WMH volume [β=0.361; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.320-0.402, P<0.001], cLVD [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.66; 95% CI, 1.29-2.16, P<0.001], lacunes (aOR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.52-2.14, P<0.001) and CMBs (aOR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.40-2.19, P<0.001). Furthermore, PCR score also showed dose-response tendencies according to the burden of cLVD, WMH, lacunes and CMB. A higher PCR score based on the ACC/AHA guidelines is closely associated with a higher prevalence and burden of cLVD and cSVD.