Background: Obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension are all components of the metabolic syndrome, which is a collection of interconnected cardiovascular risk factors. Because of the increasing prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors, the incidence of cardiovascular disease has increased at an unprecedented rate. Coronary arterial calcification (CAC) and the burden of coronary atherosclerosis plaque as well as the emergence of future events are significantly associated.
Aim of the Work: To evaluate the effect of metabolic syndrome on presence and extend of coronary calcium by MSCT
Patients and Methods: 150 subjects who had metabolic syndrome referred for multislice computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography at Kobry El-Kobba military hospital between June 2013 and January 2014 were included.
Results: Patients with metabolic syndrome had a higher frequency of coronary calcification. An independently significant risk factor for the development and severity of coronary calcification was waist circumference, but not BMI. Low HDL, diabetes, and hypertension were related to the frequency and degree of coronary calcification. High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol are significantly correlated with coronary calcification. Elevated triglycerides was not related to coronary calcification, either in terms of its occurrence or severity. The frequency and severity of CAC increased with age among male smokers.
Conclusion: The presence and level of coronary calcification are closely related to metabolic syndrome, even in asymptomatic people. Coronary calcification is far more likely to occur when the metabolic syndrome's component numbers increase. Patients who meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome even when asymptomatic can prevent excessive radiation exposure with the safe and helpful process of CAC screening.