OBJECTIVES: In this prospective study, we investigated the prevalence and characteristics of clearly discernible noncalcified coronary plaques in a patient population with suspected significant coronary artery disease (CAD) by using 64-slice computed tomography (CT). BACKGROUND: The assessment of noncalcified coronary plaques by noninvasive strategies may be important to improve cardiovascular risk stratification. METHODS: To rule out significant stenosis, high-resolution 64-slice coronary CT (0.6-mm collimation, 330-ms gantry rotation time) was performed in 161 consecutive patients with an intermediate risk for having CAD. Computed tomography data sets were evaluated for presence of coronary calcifications, noncalcified plaques, and/or lumen narrowing. RESULTS: Noncalcified coronary plaques were detected in 48 (29.8%) of 161 enrolled patients. Although noncalcified plaques together with coronary calcifications were present in 38 of 161 (23.6%) patients, the prevalence of noncalcified plaques as the only manifestation of CAD was 6.2% (10 of 161 patients). Patients with noncalcified plaques were characterized by significantly higher total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and C-reactive protein levels as well as a trend for more diabetes mellitus. The majority of noncalcified plaques resulted in lumen narrowing of <50%. Of the remaining 113 patients, CAD and coronary calcifications were ruled out in 53 of 161 (32.9%) patients, whereas 60 of 161 (37.3%) patients presented with calcifications in the absence of noncalcified plaque. CONCLUSIONS: With the use of 64-slice CT, clearly discernible noncalcified atherosclerotic coronary plaques can be detected in a large group of patients with an intermediate risk for having CAD. The assessment of these plaques by CT angiography may allow for improved cardiovascular risk stratification.
OBJECTIVES: In this prospective study, we investigated the prevalence and characteristics of clearly discernible noncalcified coronary plaques in a patient population with suspected significant coronary artery disease (CAD) by using 64-slice computed tomography (CT). BACKGROUND: The assessment of noncalcified coronary plaques by noninvasive strategies may be important to improve cardiovascular risk stratification. METHODS: To rule out significant stenosis, high-resolution 64-slice coronary CT (0.6-mm collimation, 330-ms gantry rotation time) was performed in 161 consecutive patients with an intermediate risk for having CAD. Computed tomography data sets were evaluated for presence of coronary calcifications, noncalcified plaques, and/or lumen narrowing. RESULTS: Noncalcified coronary plaques were detected in 48 (29.8%) of 161 enrolled patients. Although noncalcified plaques together with coronary calcifications were present in 38 of 161 (23.6%) patients, the prevalence of noncalcified plaques as the only manifestation of CAD was 6.2% (10 of 161 patients). Patients with noncalcified plaques were characterized by significantly higher total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and C-reactive protein levels as well as a trend for more diabetes mellitus. The majority of noncalcified plaques resulted in lumen narrowing of <50%. Of the remaining 113 patients, CAD and coronary calcifications were ruled out in 53 of 161 (32.9%) patients, whereas 60 of 161 (37.3%) patients presented with calcifications in the absence of noncalcified plaque. CONCLUSIONS: With the use of 64-slice CT, clearly discernible noncalcified atherosclerotic coronary plaques can be detected in a large group of patients with an intermediate risk for having CAD. The assessment of these plaques by CT angiography may allow for improved cardiovascular risk stratification.
Authors: Stefan C Saur; Hatem Alkadhi; Paul Stolzmann; Stephan Baumüller; Sebastian Leschka; Hans Scheffel; Lotus Desbiolles; Thomas J Fuchs; Gábor Székely; Philippe C Cattin Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2010-01-30 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Ilan Gottlieb; Julie M Miller; Armin Arbab-Zadeh; Marc Dewey; Melvin E Clouse; Leonardo Sara; Hiroyuki Niinuma; David E Bush; Narinder Paul; Andrea L Vavere; John Texter; Jeffery Brinker; João A C Lima; Carlos E Rochitte Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2010-02-16 Impact factor: 24.094
Authors: Alexander W Leber; Franz von Ziegler; Alexander Becker; Christoph R Becker; Maximilian Reiser; Gerhard Steinbeck; Andreas Knez; Peter Boekstegers Journal: Int J Cardiovasc Imaging Date: 2007-11-08 Impact factor: 2.357
Authors: E Maffei; A Palumbo; C Martini; A Cuttone; F Ugo; E Emiliano; A Menozzi; L Vignali; V Brambilla; P Coruzzi; A Weustink; N Mollet; D Ardissino; C Reverberi; G Crisi; F Cademartiri Journal: Radiol Med Date: 2009-11-09 Impact factor: 3.469
Authors: Jeroen Schaap; Robert M Kauling; S Matthijs Boekholdt; Martijn C Post; Jan A Van der Heyden; Thom L de Kroon; H Wouter van Es; Benno J W M Rensing; J Fred Verzijlbergen Journal: Int J Cardiovasc Imaging Date: 2012-08-18 Impact factor: 2.357