New scoring system accurately predicts coronary risk in women
A new coronary risk scoring system that harnesses findings from SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging can accurately identify women at risk of major cardiovascular events.
Experts detailed the scoring system in a new paper in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging, noting that its performance surpassed some of the risk stratification tools utilized today. The findings could pave the way for improved outcomes in women, who are historically overlooked in cardiovascular settings, authors of the study suggested.
"Women are often underrepresented in research studies, and in some settings may be excluded," lead author Guillermo Romero-Farina, MD, PhD, cardiologist and senior researcher at the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain, said in a release on the findings. "Risk stratification in women is particularly important because the clinical presentation of coronary disease in women may differ from that in men and is often atypical."
The Coronary Risk Score in Women (CORSWO) system uses eight variables, such as age, clinical history, lifestyle and several imaging metrics, to predict risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Experts tested it on a group of 2,226 women ages 40 to 93 who were seen at the institution for cardiac risk assessments. Each participant underwent gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging.
The system categorized each patient’s risk using four different scoring categories: low (score: 0–3), moderate (score: 4–6), high (score: 7–11) and very high (11 or greater). Follow-ups related to MACE occurred, on average, around the 4-year mark.
CORSWO scores were found to significantly correlate with MACE risk in the women it classified as having either high or very high risk. Researchers attributed this to the numerous variables they integrated into the scoring system’s assessments.
"The study provides additional insights into identifying high risk or very high-risk women," Romero-Farina said. "This approach helps us catch potential heart issues earlier, especially serious events like heart attacks and sudden cardiac death, which are the outcomes cardiologists are most concerned about preventing."
Learn more about the study’s findings here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She joined Innovate Healthcare in 2021 and has since put her unique expertise to use in her editorial role with Health Imaging.