The Role of Breast Arterial Calcification on Mammogram as a Predictor for Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Women

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Thus, the detection of mammographic arterial calcifications can be an early, noninvasive instrument for predicting the possible development of coronary heart disease in women. The current work aimed to assess the significance of Breast arterial calcification (BAC) detected by digital mammogram and its relation to coronary artery calcium score and degree of coronary artery stenosis if present.
 Patients and methods: The study included 100 female patients submitted to digital mammography for breast cancer screening programs and showed BAC then coronary artery calcification (CAC) score and multidetector coronary computed tomography angiography (MDCCTA) had done to determine the severity of coronary artery stenosis.
 Results: The age was ranged between 40 and 80 years; the mean was 56.7+9.42 years. The prevalence of positive BAC and CAD were 50% and 10%, respectively. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperlipidemia, and Family history of cardiovascular disease was higher in the BAC (+) than in BAC (-) group. The presence of BAC appears to strongly and proportionately correlate with CAC Score and Coronary artery stenosis as determined by coronary CTA (r =0.809, and r = 0.811, respectively).
 Conclusion: BAC can indicate a risk of CAD development. Besides, there was a significant correlation between BAC and some cardiac risk factors ( e.g., age, family history of CAD, and DM).