RESUMO
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss and review the technical considerations, fundamentals, and guideline-based indications for coronary artery calcium scoring, and the use of other non-invasive imaging modalities, such as extra-coronary calcification in cardiovascular risk prediction. RECENT FINDINGS: The most robust evidence for the use of CAC scoring is in select individuals, 40-75 years of age, at borderline to intermediate 10-year ASCVD risk. Recent US recommendations support the use of CAC scoring in varying clinical scenarios. First, in adults with very high CAC scores (CAC ≥ 1000), the use of high-intensity statin therapy and, if necessary, guideline-based add-on LDL-C lowering therapies (ezetimibe, PCSK9-inhibitors) to achieve a ≥ 50% reduction in LDL-C and optimally an LDL-C < 70 mg/dL is recommended. In patients with a CAC score ≥ 100 at low risk of bleeding, the benefits of aspirin use may outweigh the risk of bleeding. Other applications of CAC scoring include risk estimation on non-contrast CT scans of the chest, risk prediction in younger patients (< 40 years of age), its value as a gatekeeper for the decision to perform nuclear stress testing, and to aid in risk stratification in patients presenting with low-risk chest pain. There is a correlation between extra-coronary calcification (e.g., breast arterial calcification, aortic calcification, and aortic valve calcification) and incident ASCVD events. However, its role in informing lipid management remains unclear. Identification of coronary calcium in selected patients is the single best non-invasive imaging modality to identify future ASCVD risk and inform lipid-lowering therapy decision-making.
Assuntos
Aterosclerose , Doença da Artéria Coronariana , Calcificação Vascular , Adulto , Humanos , Pró-Proteína Convertase 9 , LDL-Colesterol , Cálcio , Medição de Risco/métodos , Calcificação Vascular/diagnóstico por imagem , Calcificação Vascular/tratamento farmacológico , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/diagnóstico por imagem , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/tratamento farmacológico , Aterosclerose/diagnóstico por imagem , Aterosclerose/tratamento farmacológico , Fatores de Risco , Vasos CoronáriosRESUMO
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide a systematic approach to management of the patient with statin-attributed muscle symptoms. RECENT FINDINGS: We examined the prevalence of statin intolerance, the role of the nocebo effect, key findings in the patient's history and laboratory studies, the potential value of coronary calcium scoring, and the importance of shared decision-making in considering statin re-initiation. Most patients with statin-attributed muscle symptoms can be successfully treated with statins or a combination of statins and non-statins to achieve successful ASCVD risk reduction.
Assuntos
Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases , Cálcio , Humanos , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases/efeitos adversos , Músculos , Efeito Nocebo , PrevalênciaRESUMO
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a proven causative factor for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Individuals with genetic conditions associated with lifelong very low LDL-C levels can be healthy. We now possess the pharmacological armamentarium (statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors) to reduce LDL-C to an unprecedented extent. Increasing numbers of patients are expected to achieve very low (<30 mg/dL) LDL-C. Cardiovascular event reduction increases log linearly in association with lowering LDL-C, without reaching any clear plateau even when very low LDL-C levels are achieved. It is still controversial whether lower LDL-C levels are associated with significant clinical adverse effects (e.g. new-onset diabetes mellitus or possibly haemorrhagic stroke) and long-term data are needed to address safety concerns. This review presents the familial conditions characterized by very low LDL-C, analyses trials with lipid-lowering agents where patients attained very low LDL-C, and summarizes the benefits and potential adverse effects associated with achieving very low LDL-C. Given the potential for cardiovascular benefit and short-term safe profile of very low LDL-C, it may be advantageous to attain such low levels in specific high-risk populations. Further studies are needed to compare the net clinical benefit of non-LDL-C-lowering interventions with very low LDL-C approaches, in addition to comparing the efficacy and safety of very low LDL-C levels vs. current recommended targets.
Assuntos
Anticolesterolemiantes , Doenças Cardiovasculares , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases , Anticolesterolemiantes/uso terapêutico , Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle , LDL-Colesterol , Ezetimiba/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Pró-Proteína Convertase 9Assuntos
Anticolesterolemiantes/uso terapêutico , Cardiologia/normas , Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle , Colesterol/sangue , Medicina Baseada em Evidências/normas , Hiperlipidemias/tratamento farmacológico , Anticolesterolemiantes/efeitos adversos , Biomarcadores/sangue , Doenças Cardiovasculares/sangue , Doenças Cardiovasculares/diagnóstico , Doenças Cardiovasculares/epidemiologia , Consenso , Humanos , Hiperlipidemias/sangue , Hiperlipidemias/diagnóstico , Hiperlipidemias/epidemiologia , Medição de Risco , Fatores de Risco , Resultado do TratamentoAssuntos
Anticolesterolemiantes/uso terapêutico , Cardiologia/normas , Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle , Colesterol/sangue , Medicina Baseada em Evidências/normas , Hiperlipidemias/tratamento farmacológico , Anticolesterolemiantes/efeitos adversos , Biomarcadores/sangue , Doenças Cardiovasculares/sangue , Doenças Cardiovasculares/diagnóstico , Doenças Cardiovasculares/epidemiologia , Consenso , Humanos , Hiperlipidemias/sangue , Hiperlipidemias/diagnóstico , Hiperlipidemias/epidemiologia , Medição de Risco , Fatores de Risco , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend the reporting of incidental CAC on non-EKG-gated CT scans of the chest. The finding of incidental moderate or severe CAC on non-cardiac non-contrast chest CT correlates with a CAC score ≥ 100 Agatston units, a guideline-based indication for a clinician-patient discussion regarding the initiation of statin therapy. In contemporary practice, whether the presence and severity of incidental CAC are routinely reported on such CT scans of the chest is unknown. METHODS: At a major university hospital, we collected a one-month convenience sample of 297 patients who had chest CT imaging for indications other than lung cancer screening (OICT) and 42 patients who underwent lung cancer chest CT screening (LSCT). We evaluated reporting patterns of incidental CAC in the body and impression of the reports as compared to the overreading of such studies by a board-certified CT chest radiologist. We hypothesized and demonstrated that there was underreporting of incidental CAC on these scans. We then undertook an initiative to educate reporting radiologists on the importance of reporting CAC and implemented a reporting template change to encourage routine reporting. Then we repeated another one-month sample (n= 363 for the OICT and n= 63 for the LSCT groups) to evaluate reporting patterns following our intervention. RESULTS: The presence of incidental moderate and severe CAC was systematically underreported in the OICT group (0 and 4.8 %) and the severity was never mentioned in the impression of reports. In the LSCT group, the presence of incidental moderate and severe CAC was also underreported (66.7 % and 75 %) and the severity of CAC was mentioned 50 % of the time in the impression of the reports. Following the initiation of an educational program and radiology reporting template change, there was a significant increase in reporting of moderate or severe CAC in the OICT group (0 vs. 80.0 %, p < 0.001) and (4.8 vs. 93.5 %, p < 0.001) respectively and a significant increase in the reporting of the severity of incidental CAC for those with severe CAC in the LSCT group (50 vs. 94.1 %, p=0.006). CONCLUSION: Despite guideline recommendations, Incidental CAC was underreported at a large academic center. We implemented a system that significantly improved reporting patterns of incidental CAC. Failure to report incidental CAC represents a missed opportunity to initiate preventive therapies. Hospital systems interested in improving the quality of their radiology reporting procedures should examine their practices to assure that CAC quantification is routinely performed.
RESUMO
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of global mortality, yet its early detection remains a vexing problem of modern medicine. Although the computed tomography (CT) calcium score predicts cardiovascular risk, relatively high cost ($250-400) and radiation dose (1-3 mSv) limit its universal utility as a screening tool. Dual-energy digital subtraction radiography (DE; <$60, 0.07 mSv) enables detection of calcified structures with high sensitivity. In this pilot study, we examined DE radiography's ability to quantify coronary artery calcification (CAC). We identified 25 patients who underwent non-contrast CT and DE chest imaging performed within 12 months using documented CAC as the major inclusion criteria. A DE calcium score was developed based on pixel intensity multiplied by the area of the calcified plaque. DE scores were plotted against CT scores. Subsequently, a validation cohort of 14 additional patients was independently evaluated to confirm the accuracy and precision of CAC quantification, yielding a total of 39 subjects. Among all subjects (n = 39), the DE score demonstrated a correlation coefficient of 0.87 (p < 0.0001) when compared with the CT score. For the 13 patients with CT scores of <400, the correlation coefficient was -0.26. For the 26 patients with CT scores of ≥400, the correlation coefficient yielded 0.86. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of DE radiography to identify patients at the highest cardiovascular risk. DE radiography's accuracy at lower scores remains unclear. Further evaluation of DE radiography as an inexpensive and low-radiation imaging tool to diagnose cardiovascular disease appears warranted.
Assuntos
Angiografia Digital/métodos , Calcinose/diagnóstico por imagem , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/diagnóstico por imagem , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Angiografia Coronária/métodos , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/fisiopatologia , Estudos de Viabilidade , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Projetos Piloto , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Estudos Retrospectivos , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Estatísticas não ParamétricasRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Non-Hispanic (NH) Black participants have been under-represented in studies of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the trends of reporting and representation of NH Black subjects in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of lipid-lowering therapies demonstrating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk reduction benefit. METHODS: The electronic databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from 1990-2020. Studies of lipid-lowering therapies (i.e., statins, ezetimibe, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors [PCSK9], and icosapent ethyl) with proven ASCVD benefit, sample sizes of at least 1000 subjects and follow-up of at least 1 year were included (40 RCTs, N=306 747 total participants). We examined articles and supplementary material for participant-level race data. Using United States disease prevalence data, the participation-to-prevalence ratio (PPR) metric was used to estimate the representation of NH Black subjects compared with their reported disease burden (i.e., < 0.8 indicated under-representation; > 1.2, over-representation; and 0.8 to <1.2, adequate representation). RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) number of participants per trial was 4871 (2434-10077). NH Black enrollees comprised 7.3% (95% CI, 0.9%-15.4%) of the total number of subjects reported. During the time intervals 1990-1995, 1996-2000, 2001-2005, 2006-2010, 2011-2015 and 2016-2020, NH Black participation was 0%, 1.1%, 4.4%, 4.8%, 0.2% and 0.7% respectively (P for trend <0.001). For statin trials, the participation of NH Black subjects was reported in 0 studies between 1990-1995 and in 9 of 28 trials from 1996-2020. For ezetimibe and icosapent ethyl, NH Black participants were reported in 0 of 3 and 0 of 1 studies, respectively. For trials of PCSK9 inhibitors, NH Black subjects were reported in 2 of 5 (40%). NH Black participants were under-represented compared with their disease burden in studies evaluating subjects with diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, stable coronary artery disease, and acute coronary syndrome (PPR < 0.8 for all). CONCLUSION: NH Black participants are markedly under-represented, and results are under-reported. The inclusion of population and disease specific representation of NH Black persons and their related social determinants of health will help to address the disparity in preventive care for this historically undertreated population.
Assuntos
Anticolesterolemiantes , Aterosclerose , Doenças Cardiovasculares , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases , Hipercolesterolemia , Humanos , Estados Unidos/epidemiologia , Anticolesterolemiantes/farmacologia , LDL-Colesterol , Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle , Ezetimiba , Aterosclerose/tratamento farmacológico , Pró-Proteína Convertase 9RESUMO
Evidence from Mendelian randomization studies suggest that lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) has a causal role in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. However, guidelines and consensus statement recommendations vary regarding how clinicians should incorporate Lp(a) into patient care. To provide practical answers to key questions pertaining to Lp(a) that clinicians will find useful when assessing and treating patients, a global think tank was convened. Representatives from seven national and international stakeholder organizations answered questions that were focused on: Lp(a) measurement; ethnic, gender, and age considerations; factoring Lp(a) into risk assessment; and current and emerging treatment options for elevated Lp(a). This manuscript summarizes the finding from this global think tank. Areas requiring further investigation were identified, and the need to standardize reporting of Lp(a) levels to ensure harmonization and comparability across laboratories and research studies is emphasized.
Assuntos
Aterosclerose , Doenças Cardiovasculares , Doenças Cardiovasculares/diagnóstico , Doenças Cardiovasculares/epidemiologia , Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle , Humanos , Lipoproteína(a) , Medição de Risco , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a well-recognized, independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with elevated levels estimated to be prevalent in 20% of the population. Observational and genetic evidence strongly support a causal relationship between high plasma concentrations of Lp(a) and increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease-related events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, and valvular aortic stenosis. In this scientific statement, we review an array of evidence-based considerations for testing of Lp(a) in clinical practice and the utilization of Lp(a) levels to inform treatment strategies in primary and secondary prevention.
RESUMO
There is a need to identify high-risk features that predict early-onset atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The authors provide insights to help clinicians identify and address high-risk conditions in the 20- to 39-year age range (young adults). These include tobacco use, elevated blood pressure/hypertension, family history of premature ASCVD, primary severe hypercholesterolemia such as familial hypercholesterolemia, diabetes with diabetes-specific risk-enhancing factors, or the presence of multiple other risk-enhancing factors, including in females, a history of pre-eclampsia or menopause under age 40. The authors update current thinking on lipid risk factors such as triglycerides, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, or lipoprotein (a) that are useful in understanding an individual's long-term ASCVD risk. The authors review emerging strategies, such as coronary artery calcium and polygenic risk scores in this age group, that have potential clinical utility, but whose best use remains uncertain. Finally, the authors discuss both the obstacles and opportunities for addressing prevention in early adulthood.
Assuntos
Aterosclerose/diagnóstico , Aterosclerose/terapia , Fatores de Risco de Doenças Cardíacas , Aterosclerose/epidemiologia , Humanos , Fatores de Risco , Adulto JovemRESUMO
For primary prevention, statin therapy reduces the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events in adults with intermediate or high estimated 10-year risk using traditional population-based risk calculators. While a variety of reported symptoms may limit statin adherence, muscle complaints, whether typical or atypical of that associated with statin therapy, are the most common reported by patients. Because additional testing, alteration in the patient's medical regimen and subsequent medical visits are often required, an informed clinician-patient discussion and shared decision making are necessary to achieve the best outcomes. The authors provide support for the perspective that coronary calcium scoring, by individualizing estimated risk and helping to identify those most likely to benefit, plays a vital role in preventive therapy decision-making for the primary prevention patient with troublesome muscle complaints attributed to statin therapy.
Assuntos
Doença da Artéria Coronariana/metabolismo , Vasos Coronários/metabolismo , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases/efeitos adversos , Doenças Musculares/induzido quimicamente , Calcificação Vascular/metabolismo , Aterosclerose/prevenção & controle , Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/diagnóstico , Vasos Coronários/patologia , Humanos , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases/uso terapêutico , Doenças Musculares/diagnóstico , Prevenção Primária/métodos , Medição de Risco/métodos , Fatores de Risco , Calcificação Vascular/diagnósticoRESUMO
Review of the US and European literature indicates that most patients at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD are not treated with high-intensity statins, despite strong clinical-trial evidence of maximal statin benefit. High-intensity statins are recommended for 2 categories of patients: those with ASCVD (secondary prevention) and high-risk patients without clinical ASCVD. Most patients with ASCVD are candidates for high-intensity statins, with a goal for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction of 50% or greater. A subgroup of patients with ASCVD are at very high risk and can benefit by the addition of nonstatin drugs (ezetimibe with or without bile acid sequestrant or bempedoic acid and/or a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor). High-risk primary prevention patients are those with severe hypercholesterolemia, diabetes with associated risk factors, and patients aged 40 to 75 years with a 10-year risk for ASCVD of 20% or greater. In patients with a 10-year risk of 7.5% to less than 20%, coronary artery calcium scoring is an option; if the coronary artery calcium score is 300 or more Agatston units, the patient can be up-classified to high risk. If high-intensity statin treatment is not tolerated in high-risk patients, a reasonable approach is to combine a moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe. In very high-risk patients, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels substantially and hence reduce risk as well.
Assuntos
Doença da Artéria Coronariana/prevenção & controle , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases/uso terapêutico , Anticolesterolemiantes/uso terapêutico , LDL-Colesterol/sangue , Ezetimiba/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Hipercolesterolemia/tratamento farmacológico , Prevenção Primária , Prevenção SecundáriaRESUMO
An Expert Panel of the National Lipid Association reviewed the evidence related to the use of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring in clinical practice for adults seen for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Recommendations for optimal use of this test in adults of various races/ethnicities, ages and multiple domains of primary prevention, including those with a 10-year ASCVD risk <20%, those with diabetes or the metabolic syndrome, and those with severe hypercholesterolemia were provided. Recommendations were also made on optimal timing for repeat calcium scoring after an initial test, use of CAC scoring in those taking statins, and its role in informing the clinician patient discussion on the benefit of aspirin and anti-hypertensive drug therapy. Finally, a vision is provided for the future of coronary calcium scoring.
Assuntos
Cálcio , Vasos Coronários , Adulto , Humanos , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases/uso terapêutico , Medição de Risco , Calcificação VascularRESUMO
BACKGROUND: There are currently no recommendations guiding when best to perform coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning among young adults to identify those susceptible for developing premature atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the ideal age at which a first CAC scan has the highest utility according to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factor profile. METHODS: We included 22,346 CAC Consortium participants aged 30-50 years who underwent noncontrast computed tomography. Sex-specific equations were derived from multivariable logistic modeling to estimate the expected probability of CAC >0 according to age and the presence of ASCVD risk factors. RESULTS: Participants were on average 43.5 years of age, 25% were women, and 34% had CAC >0, in whom the median CAC score was 20. Compared with individuals without risk factors, those with diabetes developed CAC 6.4 years earlier on average, whereas smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and a family history of coronary heart disease were individually associated with developing CAC 3.3-4.3 years earlier. Using a testing yield of 25% for detecting CAC >0, the optimal age for a potential first scan would be at 36.8 years (95% CI: 35.5-38.4 years) in men and 50.3 years (95% CI: 48.7-52.1 years) in women with diabetes, and 42.3 years (95% CI: 41.0-43.9 years) in men and 57.6 years (95% CI: 56.0-59.5 years) in women without risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our derived risk equations among health-seeking young adults enriched in ASCVD risk factors inform the expected prevalence of CAC >0 and can be used to determine an appropriate age to initiate clinical CAC testing to identify individuals most susceptible for early/premature atherosclerosis.
Assuntos
Doença da Artéria Coronariana/diagnóstico por imagem , Modelos Cardiovasculares , Medição de Risco , Calcificação Vascular/diagnóstico por imagem , Adulto , Estudos de Coortes , Angiografia por Tomografia Computadorizada , Suscetibilidade a Doenças , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
Patients who are at high or very high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events derive the greatest benefit when clinicians prescribe evidence-based preventive therapies. The writing process used in the creation of the 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol employed a thorough evaluation of the highest quality evidence, and synthesis of this evidence into actionable recommendations for ASCVD risk reduction. Clinical trials supporting the addition of ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, or both to evidence-based statins provide the basis for the updated recommendations for the preventive care of these patients. The publication in late 2018 of a randomized controlled trial supporting the net ASCVD risk reduction benefit of adding icosapent ethyl to statins in selected hypertriglyceridemic patients with clinical ASCVD and/or type 2 diabetes with multiple additional risk markers provides the rationale for incorporation of icosapent ethyl therapy into future ASCVD preventive care regimens.
Assuntos
Aterosclerose/prevenção & controle , Dislipidemias/tratamento farmacológico , Ácido Eicosapentaenoico/análogos & derivados , Medicina Baseada em Evidências/normas , Hipolipemiantes/uso terapêutico , Lipídeos/sangue , Guias de Prática Clínica como Assunto/normas , Adulto , Idoso , Aterosclerose/sangue , Aterosclerose/diagnóstico , Aterosclerose/epidemiologia , Biomarcadores/sangue , Tomada de Decisão Clínica , Consenso , Dislipidemias/sangue , Dislipidemias/diagnóstico , Dislipidemias/epidemiologia , Ácido Eicosapentaenoico/efeitos adversos , Ácido Eicosapentaenoico/uso terapêutico , Feminino , Humanos , Hipolipemiantes/efeitos adversos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Medição de Risco , Fatores de Risco , Resultado do Tratamento , Adulto JovemRESUMO
A classic finding in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia is the presence of markedly elevated levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with an LDL-C concentration of 190 mg/dL or greater. However, severe hypercholesterolemia is not inevitably present, and many patients who carry this diagnosis may have lower LDL-C levels. This case history describes a young woman whose mother and brother met clinical and genetic criteria for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, but who had only a mild elevation in LDL-C, falling to <130 mg/dL after dietary intervention. Despite this finding, genetic testing revealed the presence of the same genetic variants as were noted in her mother and brother. In addition, a second genetic variant predisposing them to cholesterol gallstone formation was identified in all three family members. If genetic testing had not been performed, the diagnosis may have been missed or delayed, resulting in an increased risk for the vascular complications associated with familial hypercholesterolemia. This case supports the value of genetic testing of family members of those with familial hypercholesterolemia, even when LDL-C levels are not severely elevated.
Assuntos
Colesterol/sangue , Hiperlipoproteinemia Tipo II/sangue , Adulto , Feminino , Testes Genéticos , Humanos , Hiperlipoproteinemia Tipo II/diagnóstico , Hiperlipoproteinemia Tipo II/genética , Masculino , LinhagemRESUMO
Allocation of statin therapy for the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in borderline- and intermediate-risk patients has traditionally been based on population-based global risk assessment and other clinical and laboratory characteristics. Patient-specific treatment decisions are needed to provide maximal benefit and avoid unnecessary treatment. Guideline-based lipid management proposes that coronary artery calcium scoring is reasonable to implement in patients with a 10-year risk of 5.0% to 19.9% (borderline to intermediate risk) by using the pooled cohort equations when the decision about whether to initiate statin therapy is uncertain. We report data from both observational studies and a large primary prevention randomized controlled trial that support the position that this decision is, in fact, uncertain in about half of such patients because of risk misclassification. Such misclassification can be largely avoided by more widespread implementation of coronary calcium scoring, which helps to identify those with coronary artery calcium scores of 0, a finding associated with a less than 5.0% 10-year probability of an ASCVD event. Deferral of statin therapy in such patients, in the absence of smoking, diabetes, or a family history of premature ASCVD, provides more individualized and appropriate care and avoids the expense and potential adverse effects of statin therapy in those with low potential for absolute risk reduction. A rationale is also provided for the importance of coronary artery calcium scoring in women 50 years and older, possibly in place of 1 screening mammogram in women at least 55 years of age to avoid incremental radiation exposure, on the basis of the substantially higher lifetime risk of morbidity and mortality from ASCVD than from breast cancer. In patients with borderline or intermediate ASCVD risk, coronary artery calcium scoring should be used, whenever possible, as an aid to rational statin allocation for the primary prevention of ASCVD.