Usefulness of electron beam tomography in adolescents and young adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Background: Because of the success of secondary prevention of coronary events by intense risk factor modification, a more precise measure of atherosclerosis in youth would have great clinical value both in the design of clinical trials for the demonstration of the usefulness of coronary disease prevention early in life and in guiding therapy. Identification of calcium in coronary arteries by electron beam tomography has been associated with severity of atherosclerosis in adults.

Methods and results: Twenty-nine youths 11 to 23 years old with familial hypercholesterolemia (average LDL cholesterol, 5.95 mmol/L) underwent electron beam tomography as well as comprehensive risk factor assessment with measurement of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein E phenotype, blood pressure, body mass index, and history of tobacco use. Significant coronary calcium was identified in 7 of 29 subjects. Increased body mass index was significantly associated with the presence of coronary calcium (25.3 versus 20.6 kg/m2, P<0.03). No other risk factors were associated with the presence of coronary calcium.

Conclusions: Coronary calcium, uncommonly identified before the fourth decade, was found in a significant percentage of adolescents and young adults with familial hypercholesterolemia. Overweight may increase the likelihood of coronary calcium being present in individuals already at high risk.