Description of Collaborative Activity: |
The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) investigates the prevalence, correlates, and progression of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors that predict progression to clinically overt CVD, and that predict progression of subclinical disease itself, in a population-based sample of 6,814 men and women aged 45-84 at baseline from four ethnic groups – white, African American, Hispanic, and Chinese. The cohort was recruited from six Field Centers in the US and characterized with respect to coronary calcification using computed tomography, ventricular mass and function using magnetic resonance imaging, and other measures at baseline. Several subclinical disease measures were repeated in 3 subsequent examinations, and fifth examination is underway (April 2010 – September 2011). Exam 5 includes a repeat cardiac MRI, including myocardial tagging to measure ventricular function. Approximately half of the cohort will undergo repeat cardiac CT and carotid ultrasound, supported by the EPA-funded ancillary study MESA Air Pollution. Participants will be followed for identification and characterization of incident CVD events and interventions received. CMS data are being used to enhance CHS CVD outcomes research by enabling researchers to study determinants related to medical care access, quality, cost, and outcomes. Conference calls are conducted among staff of the study, the CMS, and the NHLBI to discuss the data availability, confidentiality, quality, distribution, and to identify research opportunities. |
