Breast arterial calcification is a predictive factor of cardiovascular disease in Brazilian postmenopausal women

Abstract

In postmenopausal women, breast arterial calcification may represent a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease.

The Association of Breast Arterial Calcification and Coronary Heart Disease

“…Another limitation is the primarily white, non-Hispanic participant population. Although our data may not be applicable to women of other races or ethnicities, similar studies have shown comparable results among diverse populations in areas such as Brazil, 26 Israel, 32 and the Netherlands. 19 Additionally, determination of CHD in this study was identified by patient report, which leaves open the possibility of recall bias.…”

“…19 Another study, with a sample size of 307 women, reported an odds ratio of 8.13 (confidence interval [CI]: 2.7-24.6) for breast arterial calcifications in predicting women with CHD. 26 The relatively small sample sizes along with the methodologies, however, limit the conclusiveness of these recent findings. 19,26 Furthermore, the first study analyzed a marker for CHD, not CHD itself.…”

“…26 The relatively small sample sizes along with the methodologies, however, limit the conclusiveness of these recent findings. 19,26 Furthermore, the first study analyzed a marker for CHD, not CHD itself. The second study, as with most studies on this topic, looked at the association in those who already had CHD.…”

Mammographically Detectable Breast Arterial Calcification and Atherosclerosis

“…For cross-sectional studies, BAC shows high specificity for coexisting CAD/atherosclerotic CVD, ranging from 84.5% 24 to 93%. 22 The sensitivity, PPV, and NPV of BAC to detect coexisting CAD are low, with a maximum sensitivity of 50%. 25 The cohort studies also report high specificity of BAC for incident CAD morbidity and mortality (88%–97%), with low sensitivity, PPV, and NPV.…”

“…Two studies used atherosclerotic CVD (defined as self-reported angina, history of myocardial infarction or coronary artery bypass graft, or abnormal coronary angiogram or stroke). 20,21 Ferreira et al 22 used CVD, defined as atherosclerotic CVD plus congestive heart failure. Kemmeren et al 9 used CV mortality according to the ICD-9 criteria (defined as death from coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, heart failure, complications of heart disease, or sudden cardiac death).…”