The Association of Coronary Artery Calcium Score with Heart Failure – a Literature Review

ABSTRACT
One of the main principles of cardiovascular disease prevention is early intervention. Heart failure represents an end stage of most cardiovascular diseases and is a consequence of persistent damage caused by conditions such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, or valvular heart disease. Since its introduction, the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score has proven to be a comprehensive, reproducible, and accessible measure to quantify atherosclerotic burden. This review aimed to assess the prognostic value of the CAC score in patients with heart failure and its association with heart failure-related mortality. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases for studies examining the relationship between the CAC score and heart failure. After an initial selection of 32 articles, 23 were deemed eligible for inclusion. Based on the findings of these studies, the CAC score can be considered a useful tool for assessing heart failure risk, either alone or in combination with other parameters, across diverse populations, thereby supporting earlier initiation of pharmacological therapy.