Predictors of non-calcified plaques in the coronary arteries of 242 subjects using multislice computed tomography and logistic regression models

Objectives We detected non-calcified plaques (NCPs) in the coronary arteries using multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in order to determine the predictors of NCPs using logistic regression models. Methods Two hundred and forty-two consecutive subjects (141 males; overall age range, 17–91 years old) underwent enhanced electrocardiogram-gated MSCT to detect NCPs. Logistic models for predicting NCPs were developed which incorporated age, sex, coronary calcified-plaque (CP), and the following coronary risk factors (RFs): hypertension (HT), diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperlipidemia (HL), a smoking habit, and obesity. Results NCPs were detected in 76 subjects (59 males, 35–82 years old [median = 67]) whose average number of coronary RFs was 2.6, 75% of whom presented with HT, 30% with DM, 51% with HL, 64% were present or past cigarette smokers, and 32% were obese. In the 76 subjects with NCPs, the incidence of male sex, presence of HT, a smoking habit, CP and the number of coronary RFs were significantly higher than in the 166 subjects without NCP. Of the 101 female subjects, 17 showed NCPs and in every case the subject was more than 50 years old. In a logistic regression model, male sex, HT and smoking habit (relative risks 2.7, 2.0, and 2.7 [95% confidence interval = 1.3–5.6, 1.0–4.0, and 1.5–4.9, respectively]) were associated with increased incidence of NCPs. Conclusions The incidence of NCPs was significantly increased in the presence of HT and a smoking habit, suggesting that lesions may be caused by HT or smoking-induced vessel injury even in the young male.