Overview
This study is part of a nationwide research project in China that aims to better understand how coronary artery disease develops and progresses in young adults. The study will enroll approximately 10,000 participants aged 45 years or younger who undergo coronary CT scans at multiple hospitals across China.
Information collected at enrollment includes basic health information, cardiovascular risk factors, blood test results, medication use, lifestyle habits, and, for some participants, genetic data. Participants will undergo follow-up coronary CT scans after several years to evaluate changes in coronary artery plaque and disease progression.
By analyzing these clinical and imaging data, the study aims to identify factors associated with disease progression and to develop prediction models that may help estimate an individual's future risk of coronary plaque progression and cardiovascular events. The results of this study may contribute to improved risk assessment and early prevention strategies for coronary artery disease in young populations.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age between 18 and 45 years at the time of enrollment.
- Presence of symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease and completion of coronary computed tomography (CT) examination.
- Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent and to participate in follow-up assessments.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Inability or unwillingness to complete follow-up assessments.
- Inability to provide written informed consent.
- History of coronary revascularization, including percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting.
- Poor-quality coronary computed tomography images that are inadequate for reliable plaque assessment.
- Presence of severe systemic disease with limited life expectancy that may interfere with study follow-up.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Participation in another clinical study that may interfere with the outcomes of this study.