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.