JAMA: 2012-08-22, Vol. 308, No. 8, Author in the Room™ Audio Interview

Interview with Philip Greenland, MD, author of Comparison of Novel Risk Markers for Improvement in Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Intermediate-Risk Individuals. Summary Points: In comparison with other competing biomarkers and risk factors, coronary artery calcium (CAC) is currently the most potent risk marker of subclinical coronary heart disease (CHD). CAC was shown in several observational studies to improve the prediction of risk beyond traditional risk factors. In this JAMA paper, CAC outperformed various competing risk assessment markers among asymptomatic people at intermediate risk for CHD. Whether CAC should be used in routine clinical practice, however, is still a matter of personal opinion or further research.