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Coronary calcification increases likelihood of aspirin and statin usage By Reuters Health April 10, 2008
NEW YORK (Reuters Health), Apr 10 - Coronary calcification is independently associated with an increased likelihood of aspirin and statin usage, according to a report in the April 8 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
"Coronary calcium, known to assist in the prediction of heart disease risk, should lead to more use of well-evidenced preventative medications," Dr. Allen J. Taylor from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, told Reuters Health.
Dr. Taylor and colleagues examined the independent association between coronary artery calcium and the subsequent use of pharmacotherapies to reduce cardiovascular risk.
At study entry, patients with coronary artery calcium were already significantly more likely than patients without coronary artery calcium to be taking statins or aspirin, the authors report.
During follow-up, patients with coronary artery calcium were about three times more likely than those without coronary artery calcium to use statins and about twice as likely to use aspirin.
In a multivariable logistic regression analysis that controlled for coronary risk factors, the presence of coronary artery calcium was associated with a three- to sevenfold greater likelihood of the use of a statin, aspirin, or both.
However, the researchers note, the presence of coronary artery calcium was not associated with a greater persistence of the use of either medication.
"Persistence and adherence are very important, but a diagnostic test should not be expected to influence these issues," Dr. Taylor said.
"These are observational data; thus, randomized clinical trials would increase our confidence in the impact of the test on preventative therapies," Dr. Taylor explained. "In the interim, these data are a key addition to our understanding of the value of the test to promote quality, outcomes-focused cardiovascular care."
"As important as aspirin and statins are as drugs to reduce heart risk, we should not lose focus on lifestyle measures -- particularly exercise -- in the control of increased heart risk," Dr. Taylor added.
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