Subclinical coronary artery calcification by computed tomography in cancer patients

• Anastasiya V. Yusupova

Abstract

Background. New methods of oncology treatment prolong the life and working capacity of oncological patients. However, there is an increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in this cohort of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the detection of coronary artery calcification (CCA) in cancer patients without an established diagnosis of coronary heart disease according to standard computed tomography (CT) of the chest performed to control cancer disease.

Method and results. 96 cancer patients were included in the retrospective study. The prevalence of calcification of the coronary arteries was estimated according to the CT scan of the chest. The average age of patients is 66 years, interquartile range (59–71). 54% were men. CCA according to CT scans occurred in 59% of patients without a statistically significant difference between men and women (p=0.861 and p=0.274). Significantly more CCA was observed in patients with diabetes mellitus (p=0.027) and smokers (p=0.041). The frequency of detection of calcification increased with age in men and women equally.

Conclusion. The study demonstrated a significant prevalence of CCA among a cohort of cancer patients. Assessment of CCA during routine CT of the chest is a useful and affordable tool for screening subclinical atherosclerosis in cancer patients, which does not require additional costs.

Keywords:atherosclerosis; oncology; coronary calcium; computed tomography

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