No Change in USPSTF's Stance on Using Nontraditional Risk Factors to Assess CV Risk

By Kelly Young

Edited by Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says there is not enough evidence to make a recommendation on whether to add nontraditional risk factors — that is, ankle-brachial index (ABI), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and coronary artery calcification score — to gauge an asymptomatic person's cardiovascular risk (I statement). This draft statement is largely similar to the group's 2009 recommendation.

The USPSTF says that until data indicate that these nontraditional risk factors are beneficial in guiding treatment, clinicians should use the Pooled Cohort Equations to assess a patient's cardiovascular risk.

In a separate draft statement, the task force again says there is not enough evidence to recommend ABI to screen for peripheral artery disease (PAD) or cardiovascular disease, consistent with its 2013 stance. The I statement applies to asymptomatic adults without known PAD, cardiovascular disease, or severe chronic kidney disease.