MESA risk score
Also written as: MESA — Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Cardiovascular risk prediction model that incorporates coronary artery calcium scoring to improve risk stratification accuracy.
Full Definition
The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) risk score is an enhanced cardiovascular risk prediction algorithm that integrates traditional risk factors with coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring to provide more accurate risk stratification. Derived from a large, diverse, population-based cohort study, the MESA risk score has been shown to improve risk prediction accuracy compared to traditional risk calculators, particularly for intermediate-risk patients where treatment decisions are often uncertain. The score incorporates age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking status, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes, and CAC score to estimate 10-year cardiovascular disease risk. This tool is particularly valuable for refining risk assessment in patients with CAC scores of zero (very low risk) or high scores (elevated risk), helping guide decisions about preventive therapies.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify that this incorporates CAC scoring to distinguish from other risk calculators.
In Context
- "The MESA risk score reclassified the patient from intermediate to low risk based on a zero coronary calcium score." — Clinical assessment
- "Integration of coronary calcium into the MESA risk score improved prediction accuracy by 15% compared to traditional risk factors alone." — Research publication