A total atherosclerotic score for whole-body MRA and its relation to traditional cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to create a scoring system for whole-body magnetic resonance angiography (WBMRA) that allows estimation of atherosclerotic induced luminal narrowing, and determine whether the traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors included in the Framingham risk score (FRS) were related to this total atherosclerotic score (TAS) in an elderly population. A group of 306 subjects, aged 70, were recruited from the general population and underwent WBMRA in a 1.5-T scanner. Three-dimensional sequences were acquired after administration of one i.v. injection of 40 ml gadodiamide. The arterial tree was divided into five territories (carotid, aorta, renal, upper and lower leg) comprising 26 vessel segments, and assessed according to its degree of stenosis or occlusion. FRS correlated to TAS (r = 0.30, P < 0.0001), as well as to the atherosclerotic score for the five individual territories. Of the parameters included in the FRS, male gender (P < 0.0001), systolic blood pressure (P = 0.0002), cigarette pack-years (P = 0.0008) and HDL cholesterol (P = 0.008) contributed to the significance. A scoring system for WBMRA was created. The significant relation towards traditional CV risk factors indicates that the proposed scoring system could be of value for assessing atherosclerotically induced luminal narrowing.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Coronary Artery Disease and Aortic Atherosclerosis in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients: Usefulness Based on Framingham Risk Score and Stroke Subtype

“…However, CAP was an independent predictor of the presence of CAD (≥50% stenosis). Previously, FRS was also found to be significantly associated with other atherosclerotic diseases, such as aortic plaque burden, carotid intima media thickness and plaques of multiple vascular beds [32,33,34]. In our study, multiple risk factors, including advanced age, hypertension, previous stroke history and PAD, were associated with the presence of CAP.…”

Evaluation of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) using Gd-DOTA compared with time-of-flight MRA in the diagnosis of clinically significant non-coronary arterial disease

“…For example, wholebody MRA (WBMRA) can be used to assess the overall burden of atherosclerosis. Hansen et al (2008) performed WBMRA at 1.5 T following injection of 40 ml gadodiamide to determine a total atherosclerosis score derived from the scores for each region (carotid, aorta, renal, pelvic/upper leg and lower leg). This score was shown to be correlated with a number of factors included in the Framingham Risk Score (e.g., male gender, cigarette smoking, HDL cholesterol and hypertension) [24].…”

“…Hansen et al (2008) performed WBMRA at 1.5 T following injection of 40 ml gadodiamide to determine a total atherosclerosis score derived from the scores for each region (carotid, aorta, renal, pelvic/upper leg and lower leg). This score was shown to be correlated with a number of factors included in the Framingham Risk Score (e.g., male gender, cigarette smoking, HDL cholesterol and hypertension) [24]. Although relevant outcome data are not yet available, this method could be used in the future as a prognostic indicator for patients with vascular disease.…”

Relation between Cardiovascular Disease Risk Markers and Brain Infarcts Detected by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in an Elderly Population

“…16,32 It has also been shown to be strongly associated with cardioembolic stroke. 7 Cardiac troponins, intracellular proteins involved in heart muscle contraction, are biochemical markers of myocardial damage.…”

“…After recordings of height, weight, waist, and hip circumference, blood pressure measurements and blood sampling were performed with the subjects lying supine in a quiet room. 16 Blood pressure was measured by a calibrated mercury sphygmomanometer in the noncannulated arm to nearest mm Hg after at least 30 minutes of rest, and the average of 3 recordings was used. Lipid variables and fasting blood glucose were measured by standard laboratory techniques.…”