Table 1.
Comparison of 4 Major Prospective Observational Studies of the CAC Score: Baseline Characteristics
| Study | MESA | HNR | Rotterdam | Framingham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year CAC Study Started | 2000–2002 | 2000–2003 | 1997–2000 | 2002–2005 |
| Type of CT scan performed | EBCT in 3 centers and MDCT in 3 centers | EBCT | EBCT | MDCT |
| Number of participants | 6,814 | 4,487 | 2,063* | 3,238 |
| Age of participants (yrs); mean | 45–84; 62.2 ± 10.2 | 45–74; 59 ± 8 | ≥55; 71.1 ± 5.7 | Men >35; women >40; 49 ± 10.9 |
| Women | 53% | 53% | 57% | 54% |
| Systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) | 126.6 ± 21.5 | 133 ± 21 | 144 ± 21 men; 142 ± 21 women | 124.0 ± 16.7 |
| Total cholesterol (mg/dl) | 194.2 ± 35.7 | 231.2 ± 38.6 | 216.6 ± 34.8 men; 232.0 ± 34.8 women | 206.0 ± 38.2 |
| Current smoker | 12% | 23% | 18% men; 15% women | 26% |
| Previous CVD included or excluded | Clinical CVD excluded | Clinical CAD excluded† | Not excluded | Excluded from most analyses |
| Percentage with CAC >0 at baseline examination | Men: 52%– 70% Women: 35%–45%‡ |
Men: 82% Women: 55% |
91% overall (125) | Men: 40.5% Women: 20.6% |
Follow-up for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events was similar in all 4 studies and included hard endpoints such as myocardial infarction and cardiac death, but also, in some studies, included soft endpoints such as coronary revascularization for appropriate clinical indications.
Number with CT scans available for analysis at the baseline examination
Clinical CAD patients were excluded for this table (7% of the overall HNR study)
CAC prevalence differed in different ethnic/racial groups in MESA (50)
CAC = coronary artery calcium; CAD = coronary artery disease; CT = computed tomography; CVD = cardiovascular disease; EBCT = electron-beam computed tomography; HNR = Heinz Nixdorf RECALL; MDCT = multidetector computed tomography; MESA = Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.