UCLA

Cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, are the primary causes of mortality in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Affected patients frequently have asymptomatic coronary artery disease. Studies have shown heterogeneity in cardiovascular risk among patients with diabetes. Imaging can help categorize risk of future cardiovascular events by identifying those patients with atherosclerosis, rather than relying on risk prediction based on population-based studies. In this article, we will review the evidence regarding use of atherosclerosis imaging in patients with diabetes to predict risk of coronary heart disease and mortality.