[The degree of coronary artery calcinosis as a prognostic factor of asymptomatic cardiovascular complications: results of meta-analysis].

AIM: To investigate prognostic implications of the calcium index estimated tomographycally for identification of patients at high risk to develop cardiovascular complications (non-fatal myocardial infarction, lethal coronary hear disease, coronary revascularization) in the absence of clinical manifestations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Meta-analysis of the results of studies on prognostic implications of coronary arteries calcinosis was made with standardized risk ratio as a metameter. The meta-analysis included tests for systemic error related to publishing primarily positive results and data heterogenicity. RESULTS: Overall risk ratios for cardiovascular complications ranged from 2.1 to 9.3 for different degrees of coronary artery calcinosis. CONCLUSION: Calcium index is an independent risk factor of complications of cardiovascular diseases.