CT coronary artery calcification score as a prognostic marker in COVID-19

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery calcification (CA) score has been established as a quantitative imaging biomarker to reflect arteriosclerosis and general vessel status. It is established as an important prognostic factor for coronary heart disease but also for other disease entities. Our aim was to use this imaging marker derived from computed tomography (CT) images to elucidate the prognostic relevance in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: The clinical database was retrospectively screened for patients with COVID-19 between 2020 and 2022. A total of 241 patients (85 female patients, 35.3%) were included into the analysis. CA scoring was performed semiquantitatively on thoracic CT images with the established Weston score. RESULTS: Overall, 61 patients (25.3%) of the investigated patient sample died. In survivors, the mean CA score was 2.3±3.0 and in non-survivors, it was 4.2±4.1 (P=0.002). In univariable regression analysis, CA was associated with 30-day mortality [odds ratio (OR) =1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–1.25, P<0.001]. These results were confirmed by the multivariable regression analysis adjusted for age and sex, the CA score predicted 30-day mortality (OR =1.28; 95% CI: 1.08–1.4, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: CA score is an independent risk factor in COVID-19. As CA scoring can easily be performed by the radiologist, it should be further investigated as an imaging marker in patients with COVID-19 and potentially be translated into clinical routine.