Progression of coronary artery calcium, a marker of atherosclerosis, can be slowed with statins, and continued progression of calcium is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction. However, it is not known whether statins are effective in slowing calcium progression in diabetes mellitus. In a retrospective study, we examined 1153 nondiabetic and 157 diabetic subjects who underwe...

PURPOSE Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a specific indicator of and an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis; however, calcium scoring may miss noncalcified plaques, which may have clinical importance. The aim of this study was both to identify the presence and extent of coronary plaques during computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) in patients with a zero CAC score and to evalu...

AIMS To determine the extent and prognostic significance of coronary artery calcium in asymptomatic smokers and non-smokers. Population data are available on the prognostic impact of smoking on atherosclerotic imaging measurements of the carotid and peripheral arteries. Limited data are available on the impact of cigarette smoking on the prognostic value of coronary calcium. METHODS AND RESUL...