Quantification of atherosclerotic coronary plaque components by submillimeter computed tomography.
Int J Cardiovasc Imaging
; 24(3): 301-10, 2008 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17849236
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Although several investigations have shown that multi-detecor row computed tomography (MDCT) of the coronary arteries can detect noncalcified atherosclerotic plaque, it has remained unresolved if the method also determines features of a rupture-prone plaque. We set out to correlate the size of atherosclerotic plaque components with cardiac MDCT with histology. METHODS ANDRESULTS:
In 30 autopsy cases, hearts were isolated, coronary arteries filled with contrast agent, and depicted with a clinical 16-row detector CT with a slice thickness of 0.63 mm. Transections of the three main coronary arteries were reconstructed and compared with histopathologic sections using light microscopy. MDCT measurements of total plaque area (r = 0.73, P < 0.0001) and calcified plaque area (r = 0.83, P < 0.0001) correlated well with histopathology, while measurements of non-calcified plaque area (r = 0.53, P < 0.0001) and lipid core size (r = 0.43; P < 0.0001) correlated less well. MDCT overestimated all plaque areas except lipid core size, which was underestimated.CONCLUSIONS:
Coronary CT provides an accurate and reproducible method for the quantitative assessment of total plaque and calcified plaque areas. However, the method is less accurate for the quantification of non-calcified plaque area and lipid core size, which is ascribed to limited spatial and contrast resolution. With the present technique, the detection of vulnerable plaques by MDCT remains uncertain.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Doença da Artéria Coronariana
/
Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X
Limite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2008
Tipo de documento:
Article