An algorithm for assessing cardiovascular risk in women 40 years and older based on digital mammogram analysis

Aim. To evaluate quantitative digital mammography parameters and develop an integrated cardiovascular risk (CVR) assessment system based on these parameters in women over 40 years of age.

Material and methods. This retrospective study assessed mammograms from 1029 patients aged 40 to 75 years, for whom data were available to assess CVR. The mammographic parameters studied were breast density and calcifications. The data needed to assess the CVR were obtained from the medical records of patients receiving outpatient care. CVR was defined as low, moderate, high, and very high in accordance with the Russian Society of Cardiology guidelines.

Results. Quantitative assessment of parameters obtained during preventive mammography allows us to divide patients into five groups with different probability of high and very high CVR. Using univariate logistic regression, odds ratios were calculated for each group compared to the reference value (D0). In groups D1, D2, D3, and D4, the odds of having stage 3-4 CVR were greater than 2,1, 3,5, 4,9, and 13,8 times, respectively. Similar or alternative algorithms for assessing CVR based on preventive mammography data have not been described in the literature.

Conclusion. The development of a step-by-step cardiovascular risk assessment algorithm, potentially suitable for clinical practice, will significantly facilitate and accelerate identifying high cardiovascular risk in women over 40 years of age without the use of invasive diagnostic methods.

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