Coronary Artery Calcium Screening in Persons with Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes: Implications for Prevention

Diabetes and metabolic syndrome are major risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). Many patients suffering CHD events are not adequately identified by traditional risk assessment, suggesting the need for early detection of subclinical CHD to identify those at highest risk. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) screening has added utility in categorizing patients with intermediate and high risk of CHD events, and a growing body of evidence suggests its use for CHD risk assessment in persons with metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. These studies demonstrate the presence and extent of CAC to be greater in those with these conditions, compared to those without, and that CHD risk varies greatly according to the extent of CAC both in persons with and without metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. More recently, guidelines regarding the use of CAC screening have been extended to those with diabetes mellitus, helping to further stratify those patients that may benefit from more intensive therapy. This review evaluates the role and possible benefits of CAC screening, with a focus on those with metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus for evaluating the risk for CHD.