The association of intramammarian arterial calcifications detected on mammography with coronary artery disease and its risk factors.

AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the association of intramammarian arterial calcifications seen on mammography with coronary artery disease and its risk factors and to discuss intramammarian arterial calcifications value as a predictor of coronary artery disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS Mammography was performed on 55 women over 40 years of age who have undergone coronary angiography and have not had a mammography in the past year. Coronary angiography results, coronary artery disease risk factors and intramammarian arterial calcifications are evaluated. RESULTS The prevalance of intramammarian arterial calcifications was 41.8%. A significant relationship between intramammarian arterial calcifications and coronary artery disease was indicated (OR 10,8, 95% Cl 3,02-38,59). The positive predictive value and negative predictive value of intramammarian arterial calcifications for coronary artery disease was 78.3% and 75% respectively. Also advancing age was found relevant with these calcifications (OR 1,15, 95% Cl 1,05-1,25). CONCLUSION The results support the present literature and suggest that mammography, already widely in use as a screening tool among women over 40, may be used simultaneously in coronary artery disease risk assessment. These results should be confirmed by further larger group controlled studies.