Calcification on Low-Dose Computed Tomography and Aortic Stenosis

Aortic valve calcification incidentally noted during lung cancer screening has potential for identifying AS.

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is used in lung cancer screening to detect pulmonary nodules. Now, investigators in Poland have explored whether incidentally noted aortic valve calcification (AVC) on LDCT can be used to diagnose aortic stenosis (AS).

In a cohort of 6631 individuals aged 50 to 80 years with extensive smoking histories who volunteered for lung cancer screening, AVC was present in 869 (13.1%). Those with calcium scores of 900 or more (n=68) were referred for echocardiography. Fifty-four provided consent for the study, of whom 49 (91%) had AS (16 mild, 20 moderate, and 13 severe). The AS diagnosis was new in 69% of mild cases, 50% of moderate cases, and 46% of severe cases. Mean calcium scores were 2386 in those with AS and …

Reviewing Author

Kirsten E. Fleischmann, MD, MPH, FACC

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology/American Heart Association

Kirsten E. Fleischmann, MD, MPH, FACC

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology/American Heart Association

Calcification on Low-Dose Computed Tomography and Aortic Stenosis

Topics

Reviewing Author