Sex differences in calcified plaque and long-term cardiovascular mortality: observations from the CAC Consortium

Abstract Aims Pathologic evidence supports unique sex-specific mechanisms as precursors for acute cardiovascular (CV) events. Current evidence on long-term CV risk among women when compared with men based on measures of coronary artery calcium (CAC) remains incomplete. Methods and results A total of 63 215 asymptomatic women and men were enrolled in the multicentre, CAC Consortium with median follow-up of 12.6 years. Pooled cohort equation (PCE) risk scores and risk factor data were collected with the Agatston score and other CAC measures (number of lesions and vessels, lesion size, volume, and plaque density). Cox proportional hazard models were employed to estimate CV mortality (n = 919). Sex interactions were calculated. Women and men had average PCE risk scores of 5.8% and 9.1% (P