Minimally invasive evaluation of coronary stents with electron beam computed tomography: In vivo and in vitro experience.

We sought to describe the value of electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) to detect stent restenoses at follow-up and to identify characteristic EBCT features of coronary stents. Six coronary stents (GRII, Jostent, NIR, PS, Micro, Wiktor) were scanned in vitro (10 1. 5-mm-thick slices, 15-cm FoV, 100-ms AT) before and after inflation with 3.0-, 3.5-, and 4.0-mm balloons to study intensity values and different stent dimensions in comparison to caliper measurements. In 44 patients (60 +/- 10 years, 4 females) we prospectively compared EBCT findings [eight 8-mm-thick slices in the flow mode, 26-cm field of view (FoV), 50 ms acquisition time (AT)] with 6-month angiographic outcome after placement of 86 stents in 49 vessels. For the detection of significant angiographic luminal narrowing (>/=75%) that occurred in 17/49 vessels (35%), we found a sensitivity of 65%, a specificity of 84%, and a positive and negative predictive value of 69% and 82%, respectively. The in vitro data show significant differences in image intensity between the stents and a significant gradual decrease in image intensity with increasing stent diameters. The mean differences between EBCT and caliper measurements for the length and diameter were 0.17 +/- 0.18 mm and -0.32 +/- 0.25mm, respectively. EBCT is currently the only noninvasive technique that allows the assessment of stent dimensions and stent geometry, which may prove useful in patients when intravascular ultrasound cannot be performed. Contrast-enhanced EBCT is a promising tool for minimally invasive stent patency evaluation at follow-up, especially in patients that are unable to exercise. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:39-47, 1999. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.