FDA approves Adacel for repeat Tdap vaccinations. Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT can detect extensive coronary artery calcium CAC , an independent predictor of all-cause death and cardiovascular events, new research suggested. It is a true example of personalized medicine. In March , Ontario Health launched a pilot low-dose CT lung cancer screening program for high-risk individuals between the ages of 55 and 74 years, Small explained.
As CAC, a marker of coronary artery disease, is seen easily during such a scan, the researchers analyzed the lung CTs to determine the prevalence of coronary artery disease and whether CAC was associated with increased risk.
The team quantified CAC using an estimated Agatston score and identified the composite primary outcome of all-cause death and cardiovascular events using linked electronic medical record data from Ottawa Hospital up to December CAC was mild to moderate in participants No CAC was detected in At follow-up, 78 participants 5.
A total of 49 deaths occurred, including 16 cardiovascular deaths and 19 cancer deaths, of which 10 were from lung cancer. Cardiovascular events included sudden cardiac death eight participants , fatal stroke six participants , and one each from heart failure and peripheral vascular disease. On multivariable analysis, extensive CAC was associated with the composite primary outcome adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.
Extensive CAC remained predictive of cardiovascular events even after adjustment for noncardiovascular death as a competing risk HR, 2. Preventive medicine of this type would typically involve primary care. A mechanism also is needed to notify cardiologists or primary care providers about severe CAC findings. Whether or not a scan is specifically protocoled as a cardiac study, we can often appreciate vascular calcification when it is present.
