Association of serum thyroid hormone and coronary artery calcification in patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography: an observational study

BACKGROUND: Thyroid hormones (TH) are known to have a range of effects on the cardiovascular system. However, there is still controversy regarding the relationship between thyroid function and coronary artery calcification (CAC). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between TH and CAC, especially severe CAC, in patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography (ICA). This may provide further insights into the potential role of TH in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. METHOD: This observational study included 4221 patients who underwent ICA after completing CTA in a single center. We collected demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from electronic medical records and measured CAC scores via non-contrast cardiac CT. RESULT: The study found that there is a negative correlation between the CAC score and FT3 level, even after adjusting for potential confounding factors, but there was no correlation between the CAC score and FT4 or TSH. When categorized into quartiles, the highest quartile of FT3 was associated with a decrease (β = −104.37, 95%CI: −172.54, −36.21) in calcification score compared to the lowest quartile. This correlation was more significant in the subgroup of individuals with diabetes or hypertension. CONCLUSION: The study found a negative correlation between FT3 and CAC in patients who underwent ICA. The correlation was consistent with other studies and may suggest that low levels of FT3 are associated with severe CAC. The study may provide new evidence for future research on CAC and potential therapeutic approaches.