Correlation analysis of coronary artery tortuosity and calcification score.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery tortuosity (CAT) is regarded as a variation of vascular anatomy, and its relationship with coronary artery calcification (CAC) score is still not well clarified. Studying the correlation between coronary artery calcification scores and CAT to determine specific prevention and intervention populations seems to have more meaningful. METHODS: The study is a cross-sectional retrospective study, including 1280 patients. CAT is defined as the presence of at least three consecutive curvatures of more than 45°measured during systole or diastole of a major epicardial coronary artery. Multivariable regression analysis was used to adjust the clinical parameters directly affecting CAT. RESULTS: Of these individuals, 445 (35%) were evaluated having CAT, of which females are higher than males (59.1% vs. 40.9%). Moderate CAC score (101-400) (odds ratio (OR) 1.49, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.05-2.10, P = 0.025) revealed significantly associated with CAT on univariable analysis. However, multivariable analysis after adjusting for confounding factors only indicated that CAT was positively correlated with female (OR 1.68, 95%CI 1.30-2.17, P < 0.001), hypertension (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.04-1.75, P = 0.024), and age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03, P = 0.001), while was negatively associated with body mass index (BMI) 24-27.9(OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.58-1.00, P = 0.044), and BMI > 28 (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.31-0.68, P < 0.001). Further analysis stratified by gender showed that compared with non-CAT, CAT was significantly linked with moderate CAC score (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.00-3.20, P = 0.048), hypertension (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.07-2.22, P = 0.021), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.07-3.24, P = 0.028), while was negatively related to BMI > 28 (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31-0.84, P = 0.008) in female patients. CONCLUSIONS: CAT is more likely to be found in females, connected with hypertension, age, and BMI. No significant correlation is found between the presence of tortuosity and calcium score or diameter stenosis on multivariable analysis. Whereas the CAT is associated with moderate CAC score in correlation analysis when women are selected as the main group.

Factors predicting the occurrence of aortic valve calcification in patients with coronary artery calcification in China.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with coronary artery calcification (CAC), a predictor of adverse cardiovascular events, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) also shows valvular calcification. In this study, we evaluated common clinical indicators in CAC patients with aortic (AoVC) and mitral valve (MVC) calcification. METHODS: CAC and valvular calcification were quantified using the Agatston score in 636 hospitalised patients with CAC who underwent CCTA. RESULTS: Valvular calcification was found in 30.5% of patients, with 25.2% (160 patients) showing AoVC. Age was an independent predictor of AoVC in both men (odds ratio (OR), 1.086; 95% confidence interval (CI), [1.054-1.119]; p < 0.001) and women (OR, 1.109; CI, [1.066-1.154]; p < 0.001). In men, we also found that a history of cerebral infarction was an independent predictor of AoVC (OR, 2.402; CI, [1.177-4.902]; p < 0.05). The independent predictors of AoVC in the 60- to 69-years age group were BMI (OR, 1.181; CI, [1.061-1.316]; p < 0.01) and history of cerebral infarction (OR, 3.187; CI, [1.283-7.919]; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Age is a key independent predictor of AoVC in CAC patients. History of cerebrovascular disease was also an independent predictor of AoVC, but only in men and patients aged 60-69 years. Our results indicate that a history of cerebral infarction may be used as a risk factor when identifying AoVC in patients with CAC.

Programmed cell death in atherosclerosis and vascular calcification.

The concept of cell death has been expanded beyond apoptosis and necrosis to additional forms, including necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis. These cell death modalities play a critical role in all aspects of life, which are noteworthy for their diverse roles in diseases. Atherosclerosis (AS) and vascular calcification (VC) are major causes for the high morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease. Despite considerable advances in understanding the signaling pathways associated with AS and VC, the exact molecular basis remains obscure. In the article, we review the molecular mechanisms that mediate cell death and its implications for AS and VC. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying cell death in AS and VC may drive the development of promising therapeutic strategies.