Accuracy of multidetector spiral computed tomography in identifying and differentiating the composition of coronary atherosclerotic plaques

Abstract

This study demonstrates that, in the case of diagnostic image quality, contrast-enhanced MDCT permits an accurate identification of coronary plaques and that computed tomography density values measured within plaques reflect echogenity and plaque composition.

Independent Association Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Noncalcified Coronary Plaque Demonstrated by Noninvasive Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography

“…When patients were divided by OSA severity into normal (AHI <10), mild (AHI [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20], and severe (AHI >20) groups, the odds for any vessel involvement were 9.6 (95% CI: 1.1-85.3) for mild OSA and 42.1 (95% CI: 4.1-428.4) for moderate to severe OSA. These odds were adjusted for age, sex, race, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking history.…”

“…Overnight polysomnography was performed at nationally accredited sleep centers, and final diagnosis with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI; measure of the severity of disease) was available in all patients included in this study. Obstructive sleep apnea was further classified as no OSA (AHI <10), mild OSA (AHI [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20], and severe OSA (AHI> 20). The number of vessels involved was defined as 0 if there was no stenosis and 1 if any stenosis or plaque was present.…”

Métodos por imagem da aterosclerose em estudos de progressão/regressão: marcador substituto ou janela direta para o processo patológico da aterosclerose?

“…Computed-tomography coronary angiography (CTA) allows identification and quantification of calcified and non-calcified coronary plaques [76][77][78][79] . Based on the presence or distribution of plaques (one-, two-or three-vessel disease) and stenosis severity (>50% diameter stenosis), the plaque burden of the entire coronary tree can be established 80 .…”

“…Based on the differences of the Hounsfield unit (Computed tomography) and appearance in different MRI sequences, CT and MRI provide some input in plaque composition 78,79,105 . However, the experience is limited.…”

Coronary Artery CT Low-Density Plaque Area and Its Ratio to the Whole Area of a Non-Calcified Plaque at the Culprit Lesion in Patients With Unstable and Stable Coronary Artery Disease

“…A plaque with a mean CT density of < 50 HU is thought to be a lipid-rich plaque on IVUS images. 25) Blood test: Blood samples were taken from all patients for lipid analysis, and measuring levels of fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, when 64-slice CTCA was performed. Homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculat- Figure 1.…”