Carotid Artery Imaging Is More Strongly Associated with the 10-Year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Score Than Coronary Artery Imaging

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare coronary and carotid artery imaging and determine which one shows the strongest association with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) score. Patients and Methods Two separate series patients who underwent either coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) or carotid CTA were included. We recorded the ASCVD scores and assessed the CTA imaging. Two thirds were used to build predictive models, and the remaining one third generated predicted ASCVD scores. The Bland-Altman analysis analyzed the concordance. Results A total of 110 patients were included in each group. There was no significant difference between clinical characteristics. Three imaging variables were included in the carotid model. Two coronary models (presence of calcium or Agatston score) were created. The bias between true and predicted ASCVD scores was 0.37 ± 5.72% on the carotid model, and 2.07 ± 7.18% and 2.47 ± 7.82% on coronary artery models, respectively. Conclusions Both carotid and coronary artery imaging features can predict ASCVD score. The carotid artery was more associated to the ASCVD score than the coronary artery.