[Prevalence, severity, characteristics and coronary calcified score of coronary artery plaques are different in women than men with suspected coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVE:To validate the prevalence, severity, characteristics and coronary calcified score(CACS) of coronary artery plaques in women are different from men. METHODS:A total of 3 752 patients with suspected coronary artery disease in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University were enrolled between September 2011 and December 2013. Patients with suspect CAD underwent 256-detecter coronary computed tomography (CCTA) and CACS measurement were enrolled. The differences of sex-associated coronary artery plaques were assessed. The univariable and multivariable Logistic regression were employ to assess the association female and male with coronary artery plaques. RESULTS:A total of 3 752 patients including 1 832 females and 1 920 males, the average age of the patients was (56 ± 11) years. Women were older and less smoker than men. The prevalences of any plaque, 2-,3-/LM disease and significant/severe stenosis significantly decreased in female than male (all P<0.01). The proportion of non-calcified plaques significantly higher and mixed plaque significantly lower in female than male (all P<0.01). the proportion of women were significantly lower than men in CACS>0 (all P<0.01). The similar tendency also happened in four age-matched female and male subgroups. After adjustment, female was the significant protective factor for significant and severe stenosis, 2- and 3-/LM vessel disease, calcified and mixed plaques, and CACS>100 (all P<0.01); female was the significant protective factor for non-calcified plaques in the univariate analysis (P<0.01). When the age ≥ 65, female became the significant risk factor for coronary artery plaques (all P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:Women have less prevalence and extensive coronary artery plaques and lower CACS, the plaque characteristics in women is more frequently composed by non-calcified plaques than men, even after matched by age. With age, female change from a protective factor to a risk factor for coronary artery plaques.