Breast arterial calcifications as an indicator of systemic vascular disease

Purpose: To evaluate the association between mammographically detected arterial calcifications and systemic vascular disease. Material and Methods: The medical records of 77 women who had either breast arterial calcifications or underwent surgery for carotid stenosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, or femoropopliteal bypass (study groups A and B) were evaluated and compared with 33 women without breast arterial calcifications (group C). Patients in both arms of the study underwent additional vascular tests or mammography. Results: Currently available data indicate that there is a statistically significant correlation between the presence of arterial calcifications on the mammogram and atheromatosis of the carotid or femoral arteries. Conclusion: Screening mammograms might be useful in the detection of women at risk for systemic vascular disease.