Correlation of Intima-Media Thickness with Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring in Patients with Low and High Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Abstract

Background: Given that calcification is one of the main causes of atherosclerosis and the Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) index is also a predictor of the progression of atherosclerosis, the aim of the present study was to compare the mean CIMT based on Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring (CACS) in patients with low and high cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was performed on 100 participants without cardiovascular risk factors as the low-risk group and 100 participants with at least three cardiovascular risk factors as the high-risk group. Patients’ demographic data, their cardiovascular risk factors, underlying diseases, clinical presentations, and their medications were recorded. Then, coronary CT angiography findings, CIMT, and CACS values were documented. Findings: Mean of CACS in the low-risk group was significantly lower than that of the high-risk group (6.18 ± 2.04 vs. 134.16 ± 62.09, P < 0.001). The CIMT value in the high-risk group with a mean of 0.72 ± 0.12 mm was slightly higher than that of the low-risk group with a mean of 0.71 ± 0.06 mm (P > 0.050). In addition, the correlation coefficient of CACS with CIMT was 0.094(P > 0.05) in the low-risk group and was 0.229 (P < 0.05) in the high-risk group. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, CIMT and CACS values in low-risk participants were lower than those of high-risk participants. Moreover, a significant direct correlation between CACS and CIMT was observed in high-risk participants. Thus, a direct association between these two factors may help identify individuals at higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events. © 2025, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.