Abstract
Introduction
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by elevated levels of LDL-C and early cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the risk of CVD in HF is variable. The Montreal score was designed to stratify cardiovascular risk in the FH population. Coronary calcium score (CAC) is a tool that can be used to optimize CVD risk assessment in FH.
Purpose
The objective of this study is to evaluate whether CAC is superior to the Montreal score in cardiovascular risk discrimination in FH.
Methods
We Included 206 patients with molecular diagnosis of FH (36.4% men, mean age 45±14 years, mean baseline LDL-C: 269±70 mg/dL). All patients underwent CAC and were treated with maximum tolerated statin therapy. We evaluated cardiovascular risk factors and calculated Montreal score as prior publication. Cox regression analysis was performed to test the association of CAC with the incidence of cardiovascular events. CAC was transformed into LogCAC + 1 to optimize the distribution of the CAC as previously described. Area under the ROC curve was calculated for Montreal score and CAC.
Results
Patients were followed by a median of 3.7 years (interquartile range: 2.7 to 6.8 years). Mean Montreal score was 22±8, median of 22. CAC was positive in 105 individuals (51%) and 15 CVD events (7.2%) had occurred. Montreal score above the median was associated with CAC (OR: 8.36, 95% CI: 4.47–15.62, p<0.001), and there was a gradient of increase in the Montreal score with CAC increase (mean Montreal score for CAC = 0, CAC 1–100, CAC>100: 17±7, 23±7, 30±4, p<0.001). Univariate analysis showed that the following variables were associated with CVD occurrence: male gender, family history of early coronary disease, corneal arcus, HDL-c (protective), logCAC + 1 and Montreal score. Multivariate analysis was performed: model 1 with Montreal score and logCAC + 1, only logCAC + 1 was associated with the occurrence of CVD (RR: 3.886; 95% CI: 2.112–7.148, p<0.001). Model 2 with family history of early coronary disease, corneal arcus, logCAC + 1 and Montreal score, only the latter was not associated with the occurrence of CVD. CAC presents greater area under the ROC curve for CVD event discrimination compared to the Montreal score: 0.839 versus 0.685, p=0.0074.
Conclusion
The Montreal score is associated with CAC in FH, however CAC is superior than this clinical score in predicting the occurrence of CVD in FH.
ACE I/D Gene Polymorphism in Children with Family History of Premature Coronary Disease
