There is some disparity in the morbidity and mortality rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) according to race, ethnicity, and geographic regions. Although prediction algorithms that evaluate risk of cardiovascular events have been established using traditional risk factors, they have also demonstrated a number of differences along with race and ethnicity. Of various risk assessment modalities, coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is a sensitive marker of calcific atherosclerosis and correlates well with atherosclerotic plaque burden. Although CAC score is now utilized as a useful tool for early detection of coronary artery disease, prior studies have suggested some variability in the presence and severity of coronary calcification according to race, ethnicity, and/or geographic regions. Among Asian populations, it would appear necessary to reappraise the utility of CAC score and whether it remains superior over and above established clinical risk prediction algorithms. To this end, the Korea initiatives on coronary artery calcification (KOICA) registry has been designed to identify the effectiveness of CAC score for primary prevention of CVD in asymptomatic Korean adults. This review discusses the important role of CAC score for prognostication, while also describing the design and rationale of the KOICA registry.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Atherosclerosis ; Calcium* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Continental Population Groups ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels* ; Ethnic Groups* ; Geographic Locations* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mortality ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Primary Prevention ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: Electric cardioversion has been successfully used in terminating symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, largescale study about the acute cardiovascular events following electrical cardioversion of AF is lacking. This study was performed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical consequences of acute cardiovascular events following electrical cardioversion of AF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 1100 AF patients (mean age 60+/-11 years) who received cardioversion at four tertiary hospitals. Hospitalizations for stroke/transient ischemic attack, major bleedings, and arrhythmic events during 30 days post electric cardioversion were assessed. RESULTS: The mean duration of anticoagulation before cardioversion was 95.8+/-51.6 days. The mean International Normalized Ratio at the time of cardioversion was 2.4+/-0.9. The antiarrhythmic drugs at the time of cardioversion were class I (45%), amiodarone (40%), beta-blocker (53%), calcium-channel blocker (21%), and other medication (11%). The success rate of terminating AF via cardioversion was 87% (n=947). Following cardioversion, 5 strokes and 5 major bleedings occurred. The history of stroke/transient ischemic attack (OR 6.23, 95% CI 1.69-22.90) and heart failure (OR 6.40, 95% CI 1.77-23.14) were among predictors of thromboembolic or bleeding events. Eight patients were hospitalized for bradyarrhythmia. These patients were more likely to have had a lower heart rate prior to the procedure (p=0.045). Consequently, 3 of these patients were implanted with a permanent pacemaker. CONCLUSION: Cardioversion appears as a safe procedure with a reasonably acceptable cardiovascular event rate. However, to prevent the cardiovascular events, several risk factors should be considered before cardioversion.
Aged ; Amiodarone/therapeutic use ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents/therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation/*complications/epidemiology/*therapy ; Bradycardia/epidemiology/etiology ; Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology/*etiology ; Electric Countershock/*methods ; Female ; Heart Failure/epidemiology/etiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Stroke/diagnosis/epidemiology/*etiology ; Treatment Outcome