Comparative analysis of calcification parameters with Agatston Score approximations for ex vivo atherosclerotic lesions.
J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr
; 14(1): 20-26, 2020.
Article
de En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31303579
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The Agatston Calcium Score is a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events but it is unable to identify high-risk lesions. Recent research suggests that examining calcification phenotype could be more indicative of plaque stability.OBJECTIVE:
To examine the Agatston score's ability to determine atherosclerotic calcification phenotype.METHODS:
Micro-Computed Tomography was performed on 20 carotid and 20 peripheral lower limb lesions. ImageJ pixel histogram analysis quantified the non-calcified (≥30HU, <130HU) and calcified (≥130HU) tissue volumes. ImageJ '3D Objects Counter' plugin determined the calcified particle count, volumes and maximum attenuation density of each particle. Image stacks were subsequently downsampled to a resolution of 0.7â¯×â¯0.7â¯×â¯3â¯mm and an approximation for the Extra-Coronary Calcium Scores (ECCS) were calculated. Spearman's correlation examined the relationships between ECCS approximations and calcification parameters.RESULTS:
ECCS has a strong positive correlation with the Calcified Volume Fraction (CVF) (rsâ¯=â¯0.865, pâ¯<â¯0.0005), weak positive correlations with Calcified Particle Fraction (CPF) (rsâ¯=â¯0.422, pâ¯=â¯0.007) and Microcalcification Fraction (micro-CF) (rsâ¯=â¯0.361, pâ¯=â¯0.022). There is no correlation evident between ECCS and Calcified Particle Index (CPI) (rsâ¯=â¯-0.162, pâ¯=â¯0.318). It is apparent that there is a high prevalence of microcalcifications in both carotid and peripheral lower limb lesions. Additionally, an inverse relationship exists between calcified particle volume and maximum-recorded attenuation density.CONCLUSION:
The density-weighted Agatston calcium scoring methodology needs to be reviewed. Calcium scoring which differentiates between critical calcification morphologies, rather than presenting a density-weighted score, is required to direct high-risk plaques towards tailored treatment.Mots clés
Texte intégral:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Base de données:
MEDLINE
Sujet principal:
Artériopathies carotidiennes
/
Membre inférieur
/
Microtomographie aux rayons X
/
Maladie artérielle périphérique
/
Plaque d'athérosclérose
/
Calcification vasculaire
Type d'étude:
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limites:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Langue:
En
Journal:
J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr
Sujet du journal:
ANGIOLOGIA
/
CARDIOLOGIA
/
RADIOLOGIA
Année:
2020
Type de document:
Article
Pays d'affiliation:
Irlande