CORRELATION OF SEVERITY OF MITRAL ANNULAR CALCIFICATION WITH SEVERITY OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE:

Abstract

Background: 

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a chronic, degenerative condition with shared etiological mechanisms with atherosclerosis. The SYNTAX score (SS) is an established tool to assess the anatomic complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the severity of MAC and the severity of CAD.

Methods: 

This prospective observational study included 50 patients in a tertiary care cardiac center. MAC severity (mild, moderate, severe) was assessed via transthoracic echocardiography, and CAD severity (low, intermediate, high) was evaluated using the SYNTAX score derived from coronary angiography. Statistical analysis, including Spearman's correlation, was performed.

Results: 

The mean age of participants was 68.4 ± 8.9 years, with a female predominance (58%). Most patients had moderate (42%) or severe (34%) MAC. A significant positive correlation was found between MAC severity and SYNTAX score (Spearman's r = 0.62, p < 0.001). Patients with severe MAC were more likely to have high SYNTAX scores (p < 0.001), indicating more complex coronary disease.

Conclusion: 

The study demonstrates a strong, statistically significant correlation between the severity of mitral annular calcification and the anatomical complexity of coronary artery disease as quantified by the SYNTAX score. This suggests that MAC may serve as a non-invasive marker for systemic atherosclerotic burden and can help identify patients at higher risk for severe CAD. Incorporating MAC assessment into routine echocardiographic evaluation could aid in risk stratification and clinical management.