Coronary Artery Calcium for Risk Assessment in Young Adults.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the prognostic significance and clinical utility of coronary artery calcium (CAC) for risk assessment for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in younger adults.

RECENT FINDINGS: Data from over 3000 young adults (mean age of 40.3 ± 3.6 followed for 12.5 years) in the CARDIA registry found that in an asymptomatic, community representative sample, there was a low prevalence of CAC (~ 10%) but those with CAC had an exponential increase in CAC over time and significantly higher rates of ASCVD events. Alternatively, data from the CAC consortium analyzed 22,346 asymptomatic individuals undergoing CAC for clinical indications (mean age 43.5 ± 4.5 years, followed for 13 ± 4 years) and found a much higher prevalence of CAC at 34% with rates of coronary heart disease mortality that varied significantly according to CAC. In younger adults, CAC provides clear prognostic value and can be considered in select individuals with uncertainties about their ASCVD risk or the benefit of preventive therapies.