RESUMO
ObjectiveThe fractional flow reserve (FFR) computed from coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiograms makes it possible to noninvasively assess coronary artery disease, but the impact of plaque on FFR derived from computed tomography angiography (CTA) is still unknown. The study used invasive FFR as the reference standard to analyze the impact of plaque on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-based quantitative flow ratio (CT-QFR). MethodsThe retrospective study included 108 patients with suspected coronary heart disease (CHD) who underwent both CCTA and FFR within 60 days. CCTA images were analyzed by the software. We obtained the CT-QFR of target vessels, perfomed the quantitative and qualitative analyses on target vascular plaques, including total plaque volume (TPV), plaque burden, calcified plaque volume (CPV), fibrous plaque volume (FPV), lipid plaque volume (LPV), and the presence or absence of high-risk plaque. ResultsAccording to the difference between CT-QFR and FFR at blood vessel level, 137 target vessels of 108 patients were divided into the overestimated group (difference>0.03, n=29), reference group (-0.03≤difference≤0.03, n=88) and underestimated group (difference<-0.03, n=20). The underestimated group (14.81mm3) presented higher LPV than overestimated group (1.97mm3, P < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between LPV and the difference (P<0.05). ConclusionsWhen CT-QFR is used to estimate hemodynamics of coronary artery stenosis, the presence of lipid plaque may underestimate the virtual FFR.
RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) quantitative coronary X-ray angiography (QCA) and visual estimation in the assessment of target vessels.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The radiographic data of 60 patients (65 vessel segments) receiving coronary angiography and interventional stent placement were retrospectively analyzed. The area stenosis, diameter stenosis, lesion length, and reference diameter assessed by Medis 3D QCA, Siemens 2D QCA and visual estimation were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three-dimensional reconstruction was successfully performed for 65 vessel segments, and 3 target vessel were excluded due to the lack of a second angiographic view for 3D reconstruction. There were significant differences in the assessments of the area stenosis [(73.87 ∓ 8.98)% vs (79.10 ∓ 8.06)% vs (83.53 ∓ 8.19)%, P<0.001], lesion length (28.95 ∓ 17.31 mm vs 26.20 ∓ 16.04 mm vs 27.21 ∓ 16.58 mm, P<0.001), reference diameter (28.95 ∓ 17.31 mm vs 26.2 ∓ 16.04 mm vs 27.21∓16.58 mm, P<0.001) by 3D QCA, 2D QCA and visual estimation; the diameter stenosis assessed by 3D [(54.21 ∓ 9.48)%] and 2D QCA [(57.84 ∓ 10.17)%] also differed significantly (P=0.016).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>3D QCA allows successful three-dimensional reconstruction of the target vessel and restores the actual dimensions of the vessel for a more accurate assessment of coronary artery disease than 2D QCA and visual estimation.</p>