Usefulness of the Echocardiographic Calcium Score to Refine Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events Beyond the Traditional Framingham Risk Score

Abstract

Echocardiographic calcifications are associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). A recently described semiquantitative Global Cardiac Calcium Score (GCCS) has been associated with mortality and stroke, with increasing scores associated with increasing risk. This score assigns points for calcium in the aortic root and valve, mitral valve and annulus, and submitral apparatus, with additional points for restricted leaflet mobility. We tested the hypothesis that the GCCS could improve prediction of MACE beyond traditional risk scores. This was a retrospective study of 216 subjects from a general echocardiography database (mean age 59 ± 15; 51% male). Follow-up was 3.8 ± 1.7 years. The Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) were applied to each patient. Mean GCCS was 3.2 ± 2. In the total cohort, GCCS predicted MACE (myocardial infarction, stroke, all-cause mortality), even after adjusting for FRS (odd ratio 1.19, p = 0.03). There were 106 subjects (49%) in the low-risk FRS group, 71 (33%) in the intermediate-risk group, and 39 (18%) in the high-risk group. GCCS ≥3 was associated with increased MACE (vs <3) in the low-risk group (p = 0.03), while GCCS <3 was associated with decreased MACE (vs ≥3) in the high-risk group (p = 0.04). When applied to the PCE risk estimate (dichotomized at <7.5% vs ≥7.5%) the GCCS similarly refined risk prediction. In conclusion, the semiquantitative GCCS appears to be a marker of additional unaccounted risk factors; it is easily applied and can further stratify risk of MACE beyond traditional FRS or PCE estimates.