An automated automatic learning program developed by researchers from the Edith Cowan University (ECU) together with the University of Manitoba has been able to identify possible cardiovascular incidents or risks of falling and fracture based on bone density scans taken during clinical routine tests.
When applying the algorithm to vertebral fracture (VFA) evaluation images taken in older women during routine bone density tests, it was often evaluated as part of the treatment plans for osteoporosis, the presence and scope of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) was evaluated.
The algorithm significantly shortens the time frame for the AAC screen, taking less than a minute to predict AAC scores for thousands of images, compared to the five to six minutes it would take for an experienced reader to obtain the AAC score from an image.
During his investigation, the research partner of the ECU, Dr. Cassandra Smith, found that 58% of the elderly were screened during routine bone density tests that were presented with moderate levels to high AAC, and one in four walking through the door without realizing that they had a high AAC, placing them to the greatest risk of heart attack and stroke.
“It is recognized that women are under examinated and with little treatment for cardiovascular disease.
“People who have AAC do not present any symptoms, and without making a specific detection for AAC, this prognosis would often go unnoticed. When applying this algorithm during bone density scanns, women have many more diagnosis possibilities,” said Dr. Smith.
Using the same algorithm, the senior research partner of the ECU, Dr. Marc Sim, found that these patients with moderate to high AAC scores also had a greater probability of hospitalization and fractures associated with falls, compared to those with low AAC scores.
“The greater the calcification in its arteries, the greater the risk of falls and fractures,” said Dr. Sim.
“When we observe the traditional risk factors of falls and fractures, things like have fallen in the last year and bone mineral density are generally very good indicators of the probability that someone falls and fractures. Some medications are also associated with the highest risks of falls. We rarely consider vascular health when we consider falls and fractures.
“Our analysis discovered that AAC was a very strong taxpayer to the risks of falls and was actually more significant than other factors that are clinically identified as falling risk factors.”
Dr. Sim said that the new algorithm of the machine, when applied to bone density scans, could give doctors more information about the vascular health of patients, which is a little recognized risk factor for falls and fractures.