[Association between clinical ischemic events and carotid calcification evaluated by 64 slices CT angiography].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between clinical ischemic events and carotid calcification detected by 64 slices CT angiography. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the carotid calcified plaques in 116 patients underwent the 64 slices CT angiography. The relationship between the carotid calcification and the clinical ischemic events was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 377 plaques were detected and the incidence of carotid plaque calcification was 63.40%. Incidence of plaque calcification was significantly lower in patients with ages < 50 years than that in patients with ages 51 - 59 years, 60 - 69 years and higher than 70 years (P = 0.003, P = 0.002, P = 0.000, respectively). The incidence of plaque calcification in the common carotid artery was significantly lower than the carotid bifurcation (P = 0.000) and the internal carotid artery (P = 0.000). The incidences of calcification in the mild, moderate and severe degree of stenosis and occlusion were 46.54%, 33.33%, 26.67% and 0% respectively. The distribution of intraplaque calcium was similar between patients with ischemic event and non-ischemic event group. However, the incidence of calcification was significantly lower patients with ischemic event than that in patients without ischemic event (30.34% vs. 43.10%, P = 0.013). Calcified plaque was negatively associated with ischemic event (beta = -0.688, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: 64 slices CT angiography can analyze the characterization of carotid plaque calcium.