Coronary Calcifications on Chest CT: Prevalence and Severity in Patients With and Without COPD.

Abstract

Coronary artery calcification (CC) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are two different but related health conditions that affect different body systems. Both share risk factors and may be related through common inflammatory and pathological processes. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of calcifications in the coronary arteries in computed tomography (CT) of the thorax without contrast, to quantify its severity and to analyze the relationship with patients diagnosed with COPD.

The work consists of an observational, cross-sectional and retrospective study, with data obtained in May-June 2023, in patients between 30-90 years old (mean: 68.69), M/F 49/50. 99 medical records and chest CT were reviewed as data sources for the study.

Analysis of the results, 77 (77.8%) patients presented CC, of which 39 (50.6%) were mild, 15 (19.5%) moderate, and 23 (29.9%) severe. 35 (45.45%) patients with CC presented COPD (Mild: 18 (51.43%), moderate: 7 (20%), severe: 10 (28.57%). Reason for request: About the cause of performance of the study, out of the total number of patients, 2 (2.0%) were due to cardiovascular pathologies (CVP), 73 (73.7%) were performed for another medical cause and 24 (24.4%) were performed for medical routine.

In conclusion, chest CT is a useful method to determine the prevalence and severity of CC in patients with risk factors and COPD.