Modern bone density machines can easily and seamlessly capture lateral spine images to detect prevalent vertebral fractures and monitor for incident vertebral fractures. These vertebral fracture assessment images or VFAs are increasingly being recommended and captured at the time of bone density testing in people with low bone mineral density. The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdomen and supplies oxygenated blood from the heart to the abdominal organs, pelvis and lower limbs. Healthy aortas should not be visible on VFAs. Calcium deposition within the aortic wall or abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a marker of advanced blood vessel disease and is commonly seen on these VFA images. However AAC is rarely reported to patients or their healthcare providers. This is in part due to difficulties in assessing AAC and uncertainties over its prognostic importance.
In this presentation I will discuss what AAC is and why it is important for cardiovascular health. I will also discuss how AAC is currently assessed on VFAs, the limitations of this approach and state-of-the-art developments for VFA-derived AAC as well as describe the links between AAC with musculoskeletal health outcomes.
Acknowledgments: The salary of J.R.L. is supported by a National Heart Foundation of Australia, Future Leader Fellowship.