Accuracy of 128-slice dual-source CT using high-pitch spiral mode for the assessment of coronary stents: first in vivo experience

Diagnostic accuracy of dual-source and 320-row computed tomography angiography in detecting coronary in-stent restenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Dual-source and 320-row computed tomography angiography (CTA) are increasingly used in diagnosing coronary in-stent restenosis (CISR).

PURPOSE

We sought to perform this meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-source computed tomography angiography (DSCTA) and 320-row CTA in detecting CISR when compared to invasive coronary angiography.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Five scientific databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) were searched for research studies in which DSCTA and/or 320-row CTA were used as diagnostic tools for CISR, as recently as October 2017. Study inclusion, data extraction, systematic review, pooled meta-analysis, and subgroup analysis were conducted by two researchers independently.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies with 1384 assessable stents on DSCTA and five studies including 622 assessable stents on 320-row CTA were finally included. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of DSCTA in diagnosing CISR were 0.92 (0.87-0.96), 0.91 (0.87-0.94), and 0.97 (0.95-0.98), respectively, and they were 0.91 (0.82-0.96), 0.95 (0.88-0.98), and 0.96 (0.94-0.97) for 320-row CTA. Subgroup analysis result suggested that DSTCA performed significantly better in CISR detection when the stent diameter was ≥ 3 mm compared to stent diameter < 3 mm: 0.98 (0.97-0.99) vs. 0.82 (0.79-0.86) with P < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis indicated both DSCTA and 320-row CTA had high diagnostic accuracy in detecting CISR and may serve as alternatives for further patient evaluation with CISR, especially for stent diameters ≥ 3 mm.

Image quality and radiation dose of ECG-triggered High-Pitch Dual-Source cardiac computed tomography angiography in children for the evaluation of central vascular stents

Assess image quality and radiation dose of ECG-triggered High-Pitch Dual-Source CTA for the evaluation central vascular stents in children. We included all children ≤ 21 years old with one or more central vascular stents and available prospective ECG-triggered High-Pitch Dual-Source CTA performed at our institution between January 2015 and August 2017. Demographic and scanner information was retrieved. Two board-certified pediatric radiologists blinded to the clinical data, independently reviewed and scored each case using a four-point quality score. Scores 1, 2 and 3 were considered of diagnostic image quality. Inter-observer agreement and non-parametric test were used. 18 patients (10 girls, 8 boys) with a mean age of 9.47 ± 7.38 years (mean ± SD) met inclusion criteria. Thirty-two central vascular stents were evaluated. Mean quality score was 2.07 ± 0.94 with 12.5% (4/32) of the cases classified as unevaluable. Interobserver agreement was excellent (k = 0.86). There is no significant difference between quality score and stent location (p = 0.07). There is a significant difference with stent material as all non-diagnostic scores were only seen in covered stents made of platinum-iridium (p < 0.001). There was no association between image quality and age, height, weight, BSA, heart rate, radiation dose or stent lumen size (p > 0.05). ECG-triggered high-pitch spiral DS-CTA offers appropriate image quality for assessment of central vascular stents in children.

Diagnostic accuracy of dual-source computed tomography angiography for the detection of coronary in-stent restenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

We sought to perform a meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-source computed tomography angiography (DSCTA) in detecting coronary in-stent restenosis (CISR) when compared to invasive coronary angiography. The stent-based research studies in which DSCTA was used as diagnostic tool for CISR, as recent as of October 2017, from several reputed scientific libraries (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) were evaluated. Study inclusion, data extraction, and risk bias assessment were conducted by two researchers independently. Pooled sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under summary receiver operator characteristics (SROC) curve (AUC) were calculated to assess the diagnostic value. In addition, heterogeneity and subgroup analysis were also carried out. A total of 13 studies with a total of 894 patients and 1384 assessable stents were included. The pooled results of DSCTA diagnosing CISR were as follows: SEN 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87-0.96), SPE 0.91 (95% CI 0.87-0.94), PLR 9.83 (95% CI 6.93-13.94), NLR 0.09 (95% CI 0.05-0.15), DOR 114.73 (95% CI 64.12-205.28), and AUC 0.97 (95% CI 0.95-0.98), respectively. The subgroup analysis result suggested that DSTCA performed significantly better in CISR detection when the stent diameter was ≥3 mm compared with the stent diameter <3 mm: (0.98 [0.97-0.99] vs 0.82 [0.79-0.86]) with P < .05. This study revealed that DSCTA has excellent diagnostic performance for detecting CISR and may serve as an alternative for further patient evaluation with CISR, especially for stent diameter ≥3 mm.

Iterative reconstruction improves detection of in-stent restenosis by high-pitch dual-source coronary CT angiography

Recent studies demonstrated that sinogram affirmed iterative reconstructions (SAFIRE) can produce higher-resolution images with greater robustness for the reduction of various imaging artefacts. Eighty-five patients were prospectively evaluated and underwent a high-pitch spiral acquisition CT scan. In-stent noise, signal-to-noise ratio(SNR), stent-lumen attenuation increase ratio (SAIR), and subjective image quality score were measured and compared between the SAFIRE and Filter back projection (FBP) reconstructions. Conventional coronary angiography served as the standard of reference. In 159 evaluated stents, SAFIRE was superior to FBP with regards to in-stent noise, SNR, SAIR, and image quality score. On per-stent analysis, SAFIRE vs. FBP reconstruction yielded 85% vs. 85%sensitivity, 89% vs. 78%specificity, 73% vs. 57%positive predictive value, 95% vs. 94%negative predictive value, and 0.87 vs. 0.82 area under curve, although these improvements did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). However, in the subgroup of small diameter stents (≤3 mm; n = 95), specificity(82% vs. 62%), positive predictive value(66% vs. 50%) and area under curve (0.81 vs. 0.70) improved significantly (P < 0.05) with SAFIRE. SAFIRE image reconstruction can thus improve the evaluation for ISR, especially in smaller stents.

Epicardial adipose tissue is associated with high-risk plaque feature progression in non-culprit lesions

Several studies have suggested a link between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and high-risk plaques (HRPs); however, little is known about the association between EAT volume and HRP progression in non-culprit lesions (NCLs). Therefore, we evaluated whether EAT can independently predict HRP characteristic progression in NCLs by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). In this single-centre trial, we analysed 131 consecutive patients (median age 61 years, male 72.52%) undergoing CCTA with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for culprit lesions. All patients were scheduled to undergo follow-up CCTA 12 months after PCI. HRP features, including positive remodelling, low attenuation plaque, spotty calcification, and napkin-ring sign, along with EAT volume, were assessed by CCTA. The numbers of HRP features were compared between baseline and follow-up CCTA to detect HRP progression in NCLs, and patients were classified into two groups based on HRP progression. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate whether EAT volume was independently associated with HRP progression in NCLs. Overall, 23 of 131 patients who underwent two CCTAs exhibited HRP progression in NCLs (17.6%). Logistic regression analysis showed that a higher baseline EAT volume was associated with NCL HRP progression (odds ratio 1.019, 95% confidence interval 1.009-1.029, P < 0.001). The cut-off value for baseline EAT volume for NCL HRP progression was 107 ml based on receiver-operator characteristic curve analyses, and the area under the curve was 0.66. Baseline EAT volume was identified as an independent predictor of NCL HRP progression.

Characteristics Detected on Computed Tomography Angiography Predict Coronary Artery Plaque Progression in Non-Culprit Lesions

Objective

This study sought to determine whether variables detected on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) would predict plaque progression in non-culprit lesions (NCL).

Materials and Methods

In this single-center trial, we analyzed 103 consecutive patients who were undergoing CCTA and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for culprit lesions. Follow-up CCTA was scheduled 12 months after the PCI, and all patients were followed for 3 years after their second CCTA examination. High-risk plaque features and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume were assessed by CCTA. Each NCL stenosis grade was compared visually between two CCTA scans to detect plaque progression, and patients were stratified into two groups based on this. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors that were independently associated with plaque progression in NCLs. Time-to-event curves were compared using the log-rank statistic.

Results

Overall, 34 of 103 patients exhibited NCL plaque progression (33%). Logistic regression analyses showed that the NCL progression was associated with a history of ST-elevated myocardial infarction (odds ratio [OR] = 5.855, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.391–24.635, p = 0.016), follow-up low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (OR = 6.832, 95% CI = 2.103–22.200, p = 0.001), baseline low-attenuation plaque (OR = 7.311, 95% CI = 1.242–43.028, p = 0.028) and EAT (OR = 1.015, 95% CI = 1.000–1.029, p = 0.044). Following the second CCTA examination, major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were observed in 12 patients, and NCL plaque progression was significantly associated with future MACEs (log rank p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Noninvasive assessment of NCLs by CCTA has potential prognostic value.

Comparison of CT-RECTOR and J-CTO scores to predict chronic total occlusion difficulty for percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

We sought to evaluate the ability of the CT-RECTOR and J-CTO scores to predict time-efficient guidewire (GW) crossing through a chronic total occlusion (CTO) and final procedure success.

METHODS

Data from 191 consecutive CTO lesions with pre-procedural coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) from our center were analyzed retrospectively. The difficulty of the procedure was classified as easy, intermediate, difficult, or very difficult according to CT-RECTOR and J-CTO scores. A successful GW crossing within 30min was set as the first endpoint. Final success of the procedure was set as the second endpoint. Receiver operating characteristic curves and net reclassification improvement (NRI) were used to compare the performance of both scores in predicting both endpoints.

RESULTS

The first and second endpoints were achieved in 55% and 76% of lesions, respectively. The NRI for prediction for both endpoints were 30.21% and 28.94%, respectively. Use of the CT-RECTOR score demonstrated a positive NRI for both the first (p=0.0027) and second (p=0.0190) endpoints. Compared with the J-CTO score (area under the curve: 0.76), the CT-RECTOR score (area under the curve: 0.85) yielded a higher predictive value for successful GW crossing within 30min (p=0.0018).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with J-CTO, the CT-RECTOR scoring system provides a more accurate noninvasive tool for predicting time-efficient GW crossing and final procedure success. This scoring system, which is based on CCTA, may aid in the identification of very difficult CTO lesions and downstream management.

Performance of dual-source CT with high pitch spiral mode for coronary stent patency compared with invasive coronary angiography

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the performance of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) using high-pitch spiral (HPS) mode for coronary stents patency.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study on 120 patients with 260 previous stents implanted due to recurred suspicious symptoms of angina scheduled for invasive coronary angiography (ICA), while DSCT were conducted using HPS mode.

RESULTS

There was no significant impact of age, body mass index or heat rate (HR) on image quality (P > 0.05), while HR variability had a slight impact on that (P < 0.05). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) of DSCT in detection of in-stent restenosis (ISR) based per-patient were 92.3%, 96.7%, 88.9%, and 97.8%, respectively. And those based per-stent were 87%, 96.8%, 83.3%, and 97.7% with un-assessment stents, 97.4%, 99.5%, 97.4%, and 99.5% without un-assessment stents. There was significant difference on sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV between diameter ≥ 3.0 mm group (93.3%, 97.9%, 87.5%, and 98.9%) and diameter < 3.0 mm group (80%, 93.3%, 80.0%, and 93.3%) (P < 0.05), and that between stent number ≥ 3 group (82.3%, 77.8%, 66.7%, and 60%) with < 3 group (97.3%, 80%, 96.5%, and 75%). The effective dose of DSCT (1.4 ± 0.5 mSv) is significantly less than that by invasive coronary angiography [4.0 ± 0.8 mSv (P < 0.01)].

CONCLUSION

DSCT using HPS mode provides good diagnostic performance on stent patency with lower effective dose in patients with HR < 65 beats/min.

Effectiveness of Using Dual-source CT and the Upshot it creates on Both Heart Rate and Image Quality

BACKGROUND

Early detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) is important because of the high morbidity and mortality rates. As invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is an invasive procedure, an alternative diagnostic method; coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA), has become more widely used by the improvements in detector technology.

AIMS

In this study, we aimed to examine the accuracy and image quality of high-pitch 128-slice dual-source CTA taking the ICA as reference technique. We also aimed to compare the accuracy and image quality between different heart rate groups of >70 beates per minute (bpm) and ≤70 bpm.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Among 450 patients who underwent coronary CTA with the FLASH spiral technique, performed with a second generation dual-source computed tomography device with a pitch value of 3.2, 102 patients without stent and/or bypass surgery history and clinically suspected coronary artery disease who underwent ICA within 15 days were enrolled. Image quality was assessed by two independent radiologists using a 4-point scale (1=absence of any artifacts- 4=non-evaluable). A stenosis >50% was considered significant on a per-segment, per-vessel, and per-patient basis and ICA was considered the reference method. Radiation doses were determined using dose length product (DLP) values detected by the computed tomography (CT) device. In addition, patients were classified into two groups according to their heart rates as ≤70 bpm (73 patients) and >70 bpm (29 patients). The relation between the diagnostic accuracy and heart rate groups were evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall, 1495 (98%) coronary segments were diagnostic in 102 patients (32 male, 70 female, mean heart rate: 65 bpm). There was a significant correlation between image quality and mean heart rate in the right coronary artery (RCA) segments. The effective radiation dose was 0.98±0.09 mili Sievert (mSv). On a per-patient basis, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 93.8%, 88.8%, 93.8% and 88.8%, respectively. These values were also similar in per-vessel and per-segment basis. Two different groups categorized by mean heart rate had almost similar results in terms of the diagnostic power of dual-source CTA.

CONCLUSION

CTA with a high pitch value is a reliable, non-invasive diagnostic method that can CAD with low radiation doses not only in patients with a heart rate below 70 bpm, but also in patients with higher heart rates.