An Investigation into the Relationship between Arterial Calcification in Mammography and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness

Background: Calcification in the arteries including coronary, carotid, and aorta can be an indication for cardiovascular diseases. Aim: To investigate the relationship between mammography detected arterial calcification and carotid intima-media thickness in addition to evaluating the related cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Seventy women with arterial calcification in their mammography and 119 women without this finding were selected for assessing intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries and presence of plaque in ultrasound examination. Risk factors for atherosclerosis were attained from medical records for independent effects. Results: Compared to the control group, the group with arterial calcification had more background of coronary artery disease, increase in blood pressure, and hypercholesterolemia (p=0.02, p<0.001, and p=0.013 respectively). It was also observed that while the mean carotid intima-media thickness in the group with calcification was remarkably more than that of the control group (0.78 +/- 0.13 and 0.61 +/- 0.1 respectively), there was no correlation between different grades of calcification and carotid IMT. Conclusions: Arterial calcification in mammography developed more in individuals with higher blood pressure, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia and those with the history of heart diseases. In addition, it was observed that with an increase in breast arterial calcification, carotid intima-media thickness would increase; however, the grade of this calcification had no relationship with carotid intima-media thickness.