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Mancini GBJ, Kamimura C, Yeoh E, Ryomoto A. Effects of adaptive or fixed thresholds and different platforms on the assessment of plaque characteristics using coronary computed tomography angiography. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2024; 18:297-303. [PMID: 38514283 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2024.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is used to evaluate components of atherosclerosis. Either adaptive or diverse, fixed Hounsfield Units (HU) are used to define components such as low attenuation (LAP), mixed (MP) and calcified plaque (CP). Comparisons of different platforms and different thresholding approaches have not been extensively evaluated. We compare two fixed threshold options to an adaptive threshold option within a specific platform and to fixed threshold options measured with another platform. METHODS Coronary segments (n = 24) of good image quality, with well-defined boundaries and representing a broad range of atheroma were analyzed for LAP, MP and CP. Thresholds for LAP vs MP and MP vs CP were either Fixed30/350, Fixed75/350 or based on an automatically determined Adaptive option. Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman analyses were undertaken. RESULTS Within a single platform, measures were highly correlated irrespective of use of Adaptive or Fixed30/350 and Fixed75/350 thresholds (R ≥ 0.819, p < 0.000001). The correlation slope for measures of LAP progressively diminished comparing the Adaptive versus Fixed30/350 and the Fixed75/350 versus the Fixed30/350 approaches but bias was small. Between-platform comparisons yielded less optimal results, particularly with respect to measures of LAP and with one platform yielding both very small LAP volumes and very small ranges of volumes. CONCLUSION Measures of plaque components are highly correlated irrespective of use of Adaptive or Fixed threshold approaches within a given platform. But measures are more affected by the specific proprietary algorithms employed than by specific thresholding options, especially for LAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- G B John Mancini
- University of British Columbia, Division of Cardiology, Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation, Cardiovascular Imaging Research Core Laboratory (CIRCL), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Craig Kamimura
- University of British Columbia, Division of Cardiology, Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation, Cardiovascular Imaging Research Core Laboratory (CIRCL), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eunice Yeoh
- University of British Columbia, Division of Cardiology, Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation, Cardiovascular Imaging Research Core Laboratory (CIRCL), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Arnold Ryomoto
- University of British Columbia, Division of Cardiology, Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation, Cardiovascular Imaging Research Core Laboratory (CIRCL), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Howden N, Branch K, Douglas P, Gray M, Budoff M, Dewey M, Newby DE, Nicholls SJ, Blankstein R, Fathieh S, Grieve SM, Figtree GA. Computed tomographic angiography measures of coronary plaque in clinical trials: opportunities and considerations to accelerate drug translation. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1359500. [PMID: 38500753 PMCID: PMC10945423 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1359500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) is the causal pathological process driving most major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) worldwide. The complex development of atherosclerosis manifests as intimal plaque which occurs in the presence or absence of traditional risk factors. There are numerous effective medications for modifying CAD but new pharmacologic therapies require increasingly large and expensive cardiovascular outcome trials to assess their potential impact on MACE and to obtain regulatory approval. For many disease areas, nearly a half of drugs are approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration based on beneficial effects on surrogate endpoints. For cardiovascular disease, only low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood pressure are approved as surrogates for cardiovascular disease. Valid surrogates of CAD are urgently needed to facilitate robust evaluation of novel, beneficial treatments and inspire investment. Fortunately, advances in non-invasive imaging offer new opportunity for accelerating CAD drug development. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is the most advanced candidate, with the ability to measure accurately and reproducibly characterize the underlying causal disease itself. Indeed, favourable changes in plaque burden have been shown to be associated with improved outcomes, and CCTA may have a unique role as an effective surrogate endpoint for therapies that are designed to improve CAD outcomes. CCTA also has the potential to de-risk clinical endpoint-based trials both financially and by enrichment of participants at higher likelihood of MACE. Furthermore, total non-calcified, and high-risk plaque volume, and their change over time, provide a causally linked measure of coronary artery disease which is inextricably linked to MACE, and represents a robust surrogate imaging biomarker with potential to be endorsed by regulatory authorities. Global consensus on specific imaging endpoints and protocols for optimal clinical trial design is essential as we work towards a rigorous, sustainable and staged pathway for new CAD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Howden
- Department of Cardiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Gosford Hospital, Gosford, NSW, Australia
| | - K. Branch
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - P. Douglas
- Duke Department of Medicine, The Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - M. Gray
- Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - M. Budoff
- Department of Cardiology, Lundquist Institute, Torrance, CA, United States
| | - M. Dewey
- Department of Radiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany
| | - D. E. Newby
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - S. J. Nicholls
- Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - R. Blankstein
- Departments of Medicine (Cardiovascular Division), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - S. Fathieh
- Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - S. M. Grieve
- Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - G. A. Figtree
- Department of Cardiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
- Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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3
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Bienstock S, Lin F, Blankstein R, Leipsic J, Cardoso R, Ahmadi A, Gelijns A, Patel K, Baldassarre LA, Hadley M, LaRocca G, Sanz J, Narula J, Chandrashekhar YS, Shaw LJ, Fuster V. Advances in Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiographic Imaging of Atherosclerosis for Risk Stratification and Preventive Care. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2023; 16:1099-1115. [PMID: 37178070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The diagnostic evaluation of coronary artery disease is undergoing a dramatic transformation with a new focus on atherosclerotic plaque. This review details the evidence needed for effective risk stratification and targeted preventive care based on recent advances in automated measurement of atherosclerosis from coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). To date, research findings support that automated stenosis measurement is reasonably accurate, but evidence on variability by location, artery size, or image quality is unknown. The evidence for quantification of atherosclerotic plaque is unfolding, with strong concordance reported between coronary CTA and intravascular ultrasound measurement of total plaque volume (r >0.90). Statistical variance is higher for smaller plaque volumes. Limited data are available on how technical or patient-specific factors result in measurement variability by compositional subgroups. Coronary artery dimensions vary by age, sex, heart size, coronary dominance, and race and ethnicity. Accordingly, quantification programs excluding smaller arteries affect accuracy for women, patients with diabetes, and other patient subsets. Evidence is unfolding that quantification of atherosclerotic plaque is useful to enhance risk prediction, yet more evidence is required to define high-risk patients across varied populations and to determine whether such information is incremental to risk factors or currently used coronary computed tomography techniques (eg, coronary artery calcium scoring or visual assessment of plaque burden or stenosis). In summary, there is promise for the utility of coronary CTA quantification of atherosclerosis, especially if it can lead to targeted and more intensive cardiovascular prevention, notably for those patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease and high-risk plaque features. The new quantification techniques available to imagers must not only provide sufficient added value to improve patient care, but also add minimal and reasonable cost to alleviate the financial burden on our patients and the health care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Bienstock
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fay Lin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ron Blankstein
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathon Leipsic
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rhanderson Cardoso
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amir Ahmadi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Annetine Gelijns
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Krishna Patel
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lauren A Baldassarre
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michael Hadley
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gina LaRocca
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Javier Sanz
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jagat Narula
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Leslee J Shaw
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
| | - Valentin Fuster
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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4
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Williams MC, Earls JP, Hecht H. Quantitative assessment of atherosclerotic plaque, recent progress and current limitations. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2022; 16:124-137. [PMID: 34326003 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
An important advantage of computed tomography coronary angiography (CCTA) is its ability to visualize the presence and severity of atherosclerotic plaque, rather than just assessing coronary artery stenoses. Until recently, assessment of plaque subtypes on CCTA relied on visual assessment of the extent of calcified/non-calcified plaque, or visually identifying high-risk plaque characteristics. Recent software developments facilitate the quantitative assessment of plaque volume or burden on CCTA, and the identification of subtypes of plaque based on their attenuation density. These techniques have shown promise in single and multicenter studies, demonstrating that the amount and type of plaque are associated with subsequent cardiac events. However, there are a number of limitations to the application of these techniques, including the limitations imposed by the spatial resolution of current CT scanners, challenges from variations between reconstruction algorithms, and the additional time to perform these assessments. At present, these are a valuable research technique, but not yet part of routine clinical practice. Future advances that improve CT resolution, standardize acquisition techniques and reconstruction algorithms and automate image analysis will improve the clinical utility of these techniques. This review will discuss the technical aspects of quantitative plaque analysis and present pro and con arguments for the routine use of quantitative plaque analysis on CCTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C Williams
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - James P Earls
- George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Harvey Hecht
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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5
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Quantitative plaque assessment by coronary computed tomography angiography: An up-to-date review. IMAGING 2021. [DOI: 10.1556/1647.2021.00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Coronary computed tomography angiography has an emerging role in the diagnostic workup of coronary artery disease. Due to its high sensitivity and negative predictive value, coronary computed tomography angiography can rule out obstructive coronary artery diseases and substitute invasive coronary angiography in many cases. In addition, coronary computed tomography angiography provides a unique information beyond stenosis grading as it can visualize atherosclerosis and quantify its extent. Qualitative and quantitative plaque assessment provides an incremental value in the prediction of future major adverse cardiac events. Moreover, determining adverse plaque features has a potential to identify advanced atherosclerosis and patients at increased risk of acute coronary syndrome. Nevertheless, challenges may emerge with the process of quantifying coronary plaques due to limited reproducibility, lack of automated, standardized and validated techniques. Therefore, reliable quantified data are scarce due to the various computed tomography scanners and software platforms and investigations with small sample sizes. Radiomics and machine learning-based image processing methods are relatively new in the field of cardiovascular plaque imaging. These techniques hold the promise to improve diagnostic performance, reproducibility and prognostic value of computed tomography based plaque assessment.
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Shaw LJ, Blankstein R, Bax JJ, Ferencik M, Bittencourt MS, Min JK, Berman DS, Leipsic J, Villines TC, Dey D, Al'Aref S, Williams MC, Lin F, Baskaran L, Litt H, Litmanovich D, Cury R, Gianni U, van den Hoogen I, R van Rosendael A, Budoff M, Chang HJ, E Hecht H, Feuchtner G, Ahmadi A, Ghoshajra BB, Newby D, Chandrashekhar YS, Narula J. Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography / North American Society of Cardiovascular Imaging - Expert Consensus Document on Coronary CT Imaging of Atherosclerotic Plaque. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2021; 15:93-109. [PMID: 33303383 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) provides a wealth of clinically meaningful information beyond anatomic stenosis alone, including the presence or absence of nonobstructive atherosclerosis and high-risk plaque features as precursors for incident coronary events. There is, however, no uniform agreement on how to identify and quantify these features or their use in evidence-based clinical decision-making. This statement from the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography and North American Society of Cardiovascular Imaging addresses this gap and provides a comprehensive review of the available evidence on imaging of coronary atherosclerosis. In this statement, we provide standardized definitions for high-risk plaque (HRP) features and distill the evidence on the effectiveness of risk stratification into usable practice points. This statement outlines how this information should be communicated to referring physicians and patients by identifying critical elements to include in a structured CCTA report - the presence and severity of atherosclerotic plaque (descriptive statements, CAD-RADS™ categories), the segment involvement score, HRP features (e.g., low attenuation plaque, positive remodeling), and the coronary artery calcium score (when performed). Rigorous documentation of atherosclerosis on CCTA provides a vital opportunity to make recommendations for preventive care and to initiate and guide an effective care strategy for at-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslee J Shaw
- Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Ron Blankstein
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - James K Min
- Weill Cornell School of Medicine; Cleerly, Inc. (started in 2020), New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel S Berman
- Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Damini Dey
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Fay Lin
- Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Harold Litt
- Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Diana Litmanovich
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ricardo Cury
- Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute and Baptist Health of South Florida, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Matthew Budoff
- David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Amir Ahmadi
- Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - David Newby
- University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jagat Narula
- Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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7
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Taron J, Lee S, Aluru J, Hoffmann U, Lu MT. A review of serial coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) to assess plaque progression and therapeutic effect of anti-atherosclerotic drugs. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020; 36:2305-2317. [PMID: 32076919 PMCID: PMC7434668 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-020-01793-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Change in coronary artery plaque on serial catheter intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is an established technique to monitor the therapeutic effect of drugs on coronary atherosclerosis. Recent advances in coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) now allow for non-invasive assessment of change in coronary plaque. Because coronary CTA is noninvasive, it enables clinical trials with lower-risk populations, higher retention rates, and lower costs. This review presents an overview of serial coronary CTA as a noninvasive imaging technique to gauge the therapeutic effect of anti-atherosclerotic therapies. Furthermore, it reviews the increasing use of serial CTA as an imaging endpoint in completed and ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Taron
- Department of Radiology, Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 165 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Department for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Saeyun Lee
- Division of Rheumatology/Immunology/Pulmonology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - John Aluru
- Cardiovascular Imaging Core Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Udo Hoffmann
- Department of Radiology, Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 165 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Michael T Lu
- Department of Radiology, Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 165 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
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8
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Svanteson M, Rollefstad S, Kløw NE, Hisdal J, Ikdahl E, Sexton J, Haig Y, Semb AG. Effects of long-term statin-treatment on coronary atherosclerosis in patients with inflammatory joint diseases. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226479. [PMID: 31830762 PMCID: PMC6908439 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The effect of statins over time on coronary atherosclerosis in patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) is unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the change in coronary plaque morphology and volume in long-term statin-treated patients with IJD. Methods Sixty-eight patients with IJD and carotid artery plaque(s) underwent coronary computed tomography angiography before and after a mean of 4.7 (range 4.0–6.0) years of statin treatment. The treatment target for low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) was ≤1.8 mmol/L. Changes in plaque volume (calcified, mixed/soft and total) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) from baseline to follow-up were assessed using the 17-segment American Heart Association-model. Results Median (IQR) increase in CAC after statin treatment was 38 (5–236) Agatston units (p<0.001). Calcified and total plaque volume increased with 5.6 (0.0–49.1) and 2.9 (0.0–23.5) mm3, respectively (p<0.001 for both). The median (IQR) change in soft/mixed plaque volume was -10 (-7.1–0.0), p = <0.001. Patients who had obtained the LDL-c treatment target at follow-up, experienced reduced progression of both CAC and total plaque volume compared to patients with LDL-c >1.8mmol/L (21 [2–143] vs. 69 [16–423], p = 0.006 and 0.65 [-1.0–13.9] vs. 13.0 [0.0–60.8] mm3, p = 0.019, respectively). Conclusions A progression of total atherosclerotic plaque volume in statin-treated patients with IJD was observed. However, soft/mixed plaque volume was reduced, suggesting an alteration in plaque composition. Patients with recommended LDL-c levels at follow-up had reduced atherosclerotic progression compared to patients with LDL-c levels above the treatment target, suggesting a beneficial effect of treatment to guideline-recommended lipid targets in IJD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Svanteson
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Silvia Rollefstad
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nils-Einar Kløw
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jonny Hisdal
- Department of Vascular Investigations, Oslo University Hospital, Aker, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eirik Ikdahl
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Joseph Sexton
- Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ylva Haig
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Grete Semb
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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9
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Coronary Artery Plaque Burden in Smokers and Never-Smokers: Quantification With Cardiac CT. Acad Radiol 2019; 26:1589-1590. [PMID: 31526686 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2019.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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10
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Liu T, Yuan X, Wang C, Sun M, Jin S, Dai X. Quantification of plaque characteristics detected by dual source computed tomography angiography to predict myocardial ischemia as assessed by single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2019; 9:711-721. [PMID: 31143662 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2019.04.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background We aim to evaluate the relationship between quantitative plaque characteristics detected by dual-source computed tomography angiography (DSCTA) and myocardial ischemia as assessed by single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI). Methods In this study, 460 consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent DSCTA and stress/rest SPECT-MPI, and 179 patients with coronary artery plaques were quantitatively analyzed. Quantitative coronary artery plaque measurements including total plaque volume, the volume of non-calcified plaque, calcified plaque volume, low-density noncalcified plaque volume, total plaque burden, calcified plaque burden, non-calcified plaque burden, low-density non-calcified plaque (LDNCP) burden, remodeling index, plaque length, maximum diameter stenosis were provided by the automated software (Release 5.6.5, Circle Cardiovascular Imaging, Canada). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the correlation between quantitative plaque characteristics and myocardial ischemia to determine if plaque characteristics were independent of clinical risk factors and significant CAD. Results One hundred and seventy-nine patients (65% males) with suspected-CAD, undergoing DSCTA and stress/rest SPECT-MPI and single vessel ischemia were considered. There were significant correlations between quantitative assessment of plaque features and myocardial ischemia with details as follow: total plaque volume [25.2 (17.8-37.8) vs. 15.6 (10.3-24.9) mm3, P<0.001], calcified plaque volume (1.6±7.1 vs. 2.3±6.4 mm3, P=0.019), non-calcified plaque volume [23.6 (16.6-35.9) vs. 14.6 (10.3-22.8) mm3, P<0.001)], LDNCP volume [4.9 (2.1-8.2) vs. 2.2 (1.0-5.5) mm3, P=0.003], total plaque burden (47.6%±17.1% vs. 36.2%±17.3%, P=0.002), calcified plaque burden (1.5%±5.5% vs. 2.9%±6.9%, P=0.014), non-calcified plaque burden (46.1%±18.8% vs. 33.3%±16.4%, P=0.001), LDNCP burden [12.3% (6.4-17.7) vs. 3.3% (1.6-5.3), P<0.001], remodeling index [1.2 (1.1-1.4) vs. 1.0 (1.1-1.2), P<0.001], plaque length [4.0 (3.2-6.1) vs. 3.3 (2.8-3.8) mm, P=0.009], maximum diameter stenosis [18.1% (10.0-52.9) vs. 12.9% (6.5-18.5), P=0.011]. In a multivariate analysis, low-density noncalcified plaque burden (OR 1.33; 95% CI, 1.16-1.53, P<0.001) remained a significant predictor of myocardial ischemia after adjusting for stenosis ≥50% and gender. The area under curve (AUC) of the model containing LDNCP burden, stenosis ≥50% and gender was 0.875 (95% CI, 0.812-0.938), which was significantly better than the model with stenosis ≥50% and gender (AUC 0.729; 95% CI, 0.633-0.825). Conclusions Quantitative plaque characteristics detected by DSCTA are independently correlated with the incidence of myocardial ischemia by SPECT-MPI in patients with suspected CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Liu
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Xue Yuan
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Congcong Wang
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Mingfei Sun
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Shiqi Jin
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Xu Dai
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
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Yang J, Dou G, Tesche C, De Cecco CN, Jacobs BE, Schoepf UJ, Chen Y. Progression of coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden and relationship with adverse cardiovascular event in asymptomatic diabetic patients. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2019; 19:39. [PMID: 30744612 PMCID: PMC6371483 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-019-1016-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The heterogeneity of risk in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is acknowledged in new guidelines promulgating different treatment recommendations for diabetics at low cardiac risk. We performed a retrospective longitudinal follow-up study to evaluate coronary plaque progression and its impact on cardiac events in asymptomatic diabetic patients. METHODS Data of 197 asymptomatic patients (63.1 ± 17 years, 60% males) with DM and suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent clinically indicated dual-source cardiac computed tomography (CT) were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with DM received standard of care treatment. Patients were classified into two groups based on CT coronary artery calcium scores (CACS): A, CACS> 10; B, CACS≤10. Progression of coronary plaque burden in both groups was evaluated and compared by baseline and follow-up coronary CT angiography (CCTA) using semi-automated plaque analysis and quantification software. Follow-up data were retrospectively gathered from medical records and endpoints of cardiac events were recorded via prospective phone-calls. The impacts of plaque composition and progression on cardiac events were specifically assessed. RESULTS Patients with CACS> 10 showed an increase in dense coronary calcium volume, while patients with CACS≤10 had a more pronounced increase in the volume of low-attenuation "lipid-rich" plaque components between CCTA acquisitions. The composite endpoint occurred in 20 patients (10.2%) after a median follow-up period of 41.8 months. Furthermore, at follow-up CCTA, the presence of CACS> 10 (adjusted odds ratio, 0.701; 95% CI, 0.612-0.836), increase of dense calcium volume (OR, 0.860 95% CI, 0.771-0.960), and lipid volume (OR, 1.013; 95% CI, 1.007-1.020) were all independent predictors of cardiac events. CONCLUSION Asymptomatic patients with DM experienced plaque progression as well as progression to "overt or silent CAD". The relative increase in plaque volume was associated with subsequent cardiac events, and the coronary calcification seemed to be inversely related to the outcome in asymptomatic diabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Master Program of Medical Science and Clinical Investigation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Guanhua Dou
- Department of Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Christian Tesche
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Heart Center Munich- Bogenhausen, Munich, Germany
| | - Carlo N De Cecco
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Brian E Jacobs
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - U Joseph Schoepf
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Yundai Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Intravascular hemodynamics and coronary artery disease: New insights and clinical implications. Hellenic J Cardiol 2016; 57:389-400. [PMID: 27894949 DOI: 10.1016/j.hjc.2016.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracoronary hemodynamics play a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of the atherosclerotic process. Low pro-inflammatory endothelial shear stress impacts vascular physiology and leads to the occurrence of coronary artery disease and its implications.
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13
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You S, Sun JS, Park SY, Baek Y, Kang DK. Relationship between indexed epicardial fat volume and coronary plaque volume assessed by cardiac multidetector CT. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e4164. [PMID: 27399137 PMCID: PMC5058866 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000004164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We explored whether baseline indexed epicardial fat volume (EFVi) and serial changes in EFVi were associated with increase in coronary plaque volume as assessed by multidetector computed tomography.We retrospectively reviewed 87 patients with coronary artery plaque, identified during either baseline or follow-up cardiac computed tomography (CT) examinations. Each plaque volume was measured in volumetric units using a semiautomatic software tool. EFVi was quantified by calculating the total volume of epicardial tissue of CT density -190 to -30 HU, indexed to the body surface area. Clinical cardiovascular risk factors were extracted by medical record review at the time of the cardiac CT examinations. The relationship between EFVi and coronary plaque volume was explored by regression analysis.Although the EFVi did not change significantly from baseline to the time of the follow-up CT (65.7 ± 21.8 vs 66.0 ± 21.8 cm/m, P = 0.620), the plaque volumes were increased significantly on the follow-up CT scans. The annual change in EFVi was not accompanied by a parallel change in coronary plaque volume (P = 0.096-0.500). On univariate analysis, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, 10-year coronary heart disease risk, obesity, and baseline EFVi predicted rapid increases in lipid-rich and fibrous plaque volumes. On multivariate analysis, baseline EFVi (odds ratio = 1.029, P = 0.016) was an independent predictor of a rapid increase in lipid-rich plaque volume.EFVi was shown to be an independent predictor of a rapid increase in lipid-rich plaque volume. However, changes in EFVi were not associated with parallel changes in coronary plaque volume.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Doo Kyoung Kang
- Department of Radiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
- Correspondence: Doo Kyoung Kang, Department of Radiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, San 5, Woncheon-dong, Yongtong-gu, Suwon, 442-749, South Korea (e-mail: )
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14
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Lee HY, Kim SM, Lee KS, Park SW, Chung MJ, Cho H, Jung JI, Jang HW, Jung SH, Goo J. Quantification of Aortic Valve Calcifications Detected During Lung Cancer-Screening CT Helps Stratify Subjects Necessitating Echocardiography for Aortic Stenosis Diagnosis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e3710. [PMID: 27175713 PMCID: PMC4902555 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000003710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
No study has been published on aortic valve calcification (AVC) extent at lung cancer screening low-dose CT (LDCT) and its relationship with aortic stenosis (AS). The purpose of this study was to estimate the cutoff value of AVC on LDCT for detecting AS in asymptomatic Asian subjects. Six thousand three hundred thirty-eight subjects (mean age, 55.9 years ± 8.6) self-referred to health-promotion center underwent LDCT, coronary calcium scoring CT (CSCT), and echocardiography. AVC was quantified using Agatston methods on CT. AVC extent on LDCT was compared with that on CSCT, and AVC threshold for diagnosing AS was calculated. Clinical factors associated with AS and AVC were sought.AVC was observed in 403 subjects (64.9 years ± 8.7) on LDCT (6.4%), and AVC score measured from LDCT showed strong positive correlation with that from CSCT (r = 0.83, P < 0.0001). Of 403 subjects, 40 (10%) were identified to have AS on echocardiography. Cutoff value of AVC score for detecting AS was 138.37 with sensitivity of 90.0% and specificity 83.2%. On multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.09-1.12) and hypertension (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.10-1.76) were associated with the presence of AVC, whereas AVC extent at LDCT (OR = 104.32, 95% CI: 16.16-673.70) was the only significant clinical factor associated with AS; AVC extent on LDCT (OR = 104.32, 95% CI: 16.16-673.70) was the significant clinical factor associated with AS.The AVC extent on LDCT is significantly related to the presence of AS, and we recommend echocardiography for screening AS based on quantified AVC values on LDCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Young Lee
- From the Department of Radiology (HYL, SMK, KSL, MJC) and Division of Cardiology (SWP), Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine; Department of Radiology, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center (HC); Department of Radiology (JIJ), Seoul St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea; Department of Medical Education (HWJ), Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine; Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology Center (SHJ, JG), Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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15
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Li D, Budoff MJ. Genetics paired with CT angiography in the setting of atherosclerosis. Clin Imaging 2016; 40:917-25. [PMID: 27183141 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2016.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Although the etiological mechanisms for CAD have not been fully elucidated, however, most would agree that atherosclerotic plaques progressively narrow the coronary arteries are the earliest manifestations and the principal cause of CAD. The emergence of revolutionary imaging technologies such as cardiac CT angiography, noninvasive computed fractional flow reserve and intravascular ultrasound provided the possibility of detecting and monitoring phenotypes associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. Meanwhile, with the widespread use of high-throughput genotyping pipeline such as next-generation sequencing, combined with big data-driven solutions in bioinformatics, translating the emerging genetic technologies into clinical practice and, therefore, provide valuable insight into the CAD study. In this review, we briefly describe the latest noninvasive cardiac imaging techniques for atherosclerosis-related phenotypes' detection, mainly focusing on the coronary artery calcification, plaque burden and stenosis. Furthermore, we highlight the state-of-the-art genotyping techniques and its application in the field of CAD translational study. Finally, we discuss the clinical relevance of genetics paired with noninvasive imaging in the setting of coronary artery atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Li
- Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute.
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16
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Geodesic Distance Algorithm for Extracting the Ascending Aorta from 3D CT Images. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2016; 2016:4561979. [PMID: 26904151 PMCID: PMC4745818 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4561979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a method for the automatic 3D segmentation of the ascending aorta from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). The segmentation is performed in three steps. First, the initial seed points are selected by minimizing a newly proposed energy function across the Hough circles. Second, the ascending aorta is segmented by geodesic distance transformation. Third, the seed points are effectively transferred through the next axial slice by a novel transfer function. Experiments are performed using a database composed of 10 patients' CCTA images. For the experiment, the ground truths are annotated manually on the axial image slices by a medical expert. A comparative evaluation with state-of-the-art commercial aorta segmentation algorithms shows that our approach is computationally more efficient and accurate under the DSC (Dice Similarity Coefficient) measurements.
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17
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Ferencik M, Mayrhofer T, Puchner SB, Lu MT, Maurovich-Horvat P, Liu T, Ghemigian K, Kitslaar P, Broersen A, Bamberg F, Truong QA, Schlett CL, Hoffmann U. Computed tomography-based high-risk coronary plaque score to predict acute coronary syndrome among patients with acute chest pain--Results from the ROMICAT II trial. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2015; 9:538-45. [PMID: 26229036 PMCID: PMC4684738 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Revised: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) can be used to detect and quantitatively assess high-risk plaque features. OBJECTIVE To validate the ROMICAT score, which was derived using semi-automated quantitative measurements of high-risk plaque features, for the prediction of ACS. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed quantitative plaque analysis in 260 patients who presented to the emergency department with suspected ACS in the ROMICAT II trial. The readers used a semi-automated software (QAngio, Medis medical imaging systems BV) to measure high-risk plaque features (volume of <60HU plaque, remodeling index, spotty calcium, plaque length) and diameter stenosis in all plaques. We calculated a ROMICAT score, which was derived from the ROMICAT I study and applied to the ROMICAT II trial. The primary outcome of the study was diagnosis of an ACS during the index hospitalization. RESULTS Patient characteristics (age 57 ± 8 vs. 56 ± 8 years, cardiovascular risk factors) were not different between those with and without ACS (prevalence of ACS 7.8%). There were more men in the ACS group (84% vs. 59%, p = 0.005). When applying the ROMICAT score derived from the ROMICAT I trial to the patient population of the ROMICAT II trial, the ROMICAT score (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.4-6.0, p = 0.003) was a predictor of ACS after adjusting for gender and ≥ 50% stenosis. The AUC of the model containing ROMICAT score, gender, and ≥ 50% stenosis was 0.91 (95% CI 0.86-0.96) and was better than with a model that included only gender and ≥ 50% stenosis (AUC 0.85, 95%CI 0.77-0.92; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS The ROMICAT score derived from semi-automated quantitative measurements of high-risk plaque features was an independent predictor of ACS during the index hospitalization and was incremental to gender and presence of ≥ 50% stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maros Ferencik
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Thomas Mayrhofer
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stefan B Puchner
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael T Lu
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pal Maurovich-Horvat
- MTA-SE Lendület Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Centre, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Khristine Ghemigian
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pieter Kitslaar
- Department of Radiology, Division of Image Processing, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Medis Medical Imaging Systems B.V, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Broersen
- Department of Radiology, Division of Image Processing, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Fabian Bamberg
- Department of Radiology, University of Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Quynh A Truong
- Dalio Institute of Cardiovascular Imaging, New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christopher L Schlett
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Udo Hoffmann
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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18
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Sandfort V, Lima JAC, Bluemke DA. Noninvasive Imaging of Atherosclerotic Plaque Progression: Status of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2015; 8:e003316. [PMID: 26156016 DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.115.003316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The process of coronary artery disease progression is infrequently visualized. Intravascular ultrasound has been used to gain important insights but is invasive and therefore limited to high-risk patients. For low-to-moderate risk patients, noninvasive methods may be useful to quantitatively monitor plaque progression or regression and to understand and personalize atherosclerosis therapy. This review discusses the potential for coronary computed tomography angiography to evaluate the extent and subtypes of coronary plaque. Computed tomographic technology is evolving and image quality of the method approaches the level required for plaque progression monitoring. Methods to quantify plaque on computed tomography angiography are reviewed as well as a discussion of their use in clinical trials. Limitations of coronary computed tomography angiography compared with competing modalities include limited evaluation of plaque subcomponents and incomplete knowledge of the value of the method especially in patients with low-to-moderate cardiovascular risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veit Sandfort
- From the Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (V.S., D.A.B.); and Department of Radiology (J.A.C.L.) and Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine (J.A.C.L.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Joao A C Lima
- From the Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (V.S., D.A.B.); and Department of Radiology (J.A.C.L.) and Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine (J.A.C.L.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - David A Bluemke
- From the Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (V.S., D.A.B.); and Department of Radiology (J.A.C.L.) and Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine (J.A.C.L.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
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Abstract
Coronary CT angiography (CTA) has emerged as a highly reliable and non-invasive modality for the exclusion of coronary artery disease. Recent technological advancements in coronary CTA imaging allow for robust qualitative and quantitative assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Furthermore, CTA is a promising modality for functional evaluation of coronary lesions. Individual plaque features, the extent and severity of atherosclerotic plaque burden were proposed to improve cardiovascular risk stratification. It has been suggested that total atherosclerotic plaque burden is a stronger predictor of coronary events than total ischemia burden. The quest to noninvasively detect individual vulnerable plaques still remains. In the current review we sought to summarize state-of-the-art coronary artery plaque assessment by CTA.
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20
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Choi YJ, Seo YK, Lee EJ, Chung YS. Quantification of visceral fat using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and its reliability according to the amount of visceral fat in Korean adults. J Clin Densitom 2015; 18:192-7. [PMID: 25937307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocd.2015.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Recently, a fully automated method for segmenting abdominal fat into subcutaneous fat and visceral fat (VF) within the android region using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has been newly developed. The purpose of this study was to validate a new DXA method by comparing it to the gold standard, computed tomography (CT), in the Korean population. Furthermore, we examined its reliability regarding VF and explored whether it is applicable to the Asian population, which has relatively larger amount of VF. We studied 123 adult men and women, aged 22-73 yr, representing a wide range of body mass index values (17.1-36.0 kg/m(2)), who underwent both DXA and CT in a fasting state within 1 h. The coefficient of determination (r(2)) for regression of the CT on DXA values was 0.892 for females, 0.838 for males, and 0.931 combined. Bland-Altman bias was -451.4 cm(3) with 95% limits of agreement of 149.8 to -1052.6 cm(3). The DXA-measured VF showed a better correlation with CT-measured VF volume than common indices for adiposity, including the body mass index and waist circumference. There was a lesser discrepancy ratio between DXA- and CT-measured VF with an increase of VF volume. DXA, a relatively convenient, inexpensive, and safe method with minimum radiation dosage, can be a reliable technique for VF assessment in the Asian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Jun Choi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Young Kyun Seo
- Department of Radiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Eun Ju Lee
- Department of Radiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Yoon-Sok Chung
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea.
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22
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Lo J, Lu MT, Ihenachor EJ, Wei J, Looby SE, Fitch KV, Oh J, Zimmerman CO, Hwang J, Abbara S, Plutzky J, Robbins G, Tawakol A, Hoffmann U, Grinspoon SK. Effects of statin therapy on coronary artery plaque volume and high-risk plaque morphology in HIV-infected patients with subclinical atherosclerosis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet HIV 2015; 2:e52-63. [PMID: 26424461 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(14)00032-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV-infected patients have a high risk of myocardial infarction. We aimed to assess the ability of statin treatment to reduce arterial inflammation and achieve regression of coronary atherosclerosis in this population. METHODS In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 40 HIV-infected participants with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, evidence of arterial inflammation in the aorta by fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET, and LDL-cholesterol concentration of less than 3.37 mmol/L (130 mg/dL) were randomly assigned (1:1) to 1 year of treatment with atorvastatin or placebo. Randomisation was by the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Clinical Research Pharmacy with a permuted-block algorithm, stratified by sex with a fixed block size of four. Study codes were available only to the MGH Research Pharmacy and not to study investigators or participants. The prespecified primary endpoint was arterial inflammation as assessed by FDG-PET of the aorta. Additional prespecified endpoints were non-calcified and calcified plaque measures and high risk plaque features assessed with coronary CT angiography and biochemical measures. Analysis was done by intention to treat with all available data and without imputation for missing data. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00965185. FINDINGS The study was done from Nov 13, 2009, to Jan 13, 2014. 19 patients were assigned to atorvastatin and 21 to placebo. 37 (93%) of 40 participants completed the study, with equivalent discontinuation rates in both groups. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. After 12 months, change in FDG-PET uptake of the most diseased segment of the aorta was not different between atorvastatin and placebo, but technically adequate results comparing longitudinal changes in identical regions could be assessed in only 21 patients (atorvastatin Δ -0.03, 95% CI -0.17 to 0.12, vs placebo Δ -0.06, -0.25 to 0.13; p=0.77). Change in plaque could be assessed in all 37 people completing the study. Atorvastatin reduced non-calcified coronary plaque volume relative to placebo: median change -19.4% (IQR -39.2 to 9.3) versus 20.4% (-7.1 to 94.4; p=0.009, n=37). The number of high-risk plaques was significantly reduced in the atorvastatin group compared with the placebo group: change in number of low attenuation plaques -0.2 (95% CI -0.6 to 0.2) versus 0.4 (0.0, 0.7; p=0.03; n=37); and change in number of positively remodelled plaques -0.2 (-0.4 to 0.1) versus 0.4 (-0.1 to 0.8; p=0.04; n=37). Direct LDL-cholesterol (-1.00 mmol/L, 95% CI -1.38 to 0.61 vs 0.30 mmol/L, 0.04 to 0.55, p<0.0001) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (-52.2 ng/mL, 95% CI -70.4 to -34.0, vs -13.3 ng/mL, -32.8 to 6.2; p=0.005; n=37) decreased significantly with atorvastatin relative to placebo. Statin therapy was well tolerated, with a low incidence of clinical adverse events. INTERPRETATION No significant effects of statin therapy on arterial inflammation of the aorta were seen as measured by FDG-PET. However, statin therapy reduced non-calcified plaque volume and high-risk coronary plaque features in HIV-infected patients. Further studies should assess whether reduction in high-risk coronary artery disease translates into effective prevention of cardiovascular events in this at-risk population. FUNDING National Institutes of Health, Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center, National Center for Research Resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Lo
- Program in Nutritional Metabolism, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael T Lu
- Cardiovascular Imaging Section, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ezinne J Ihenachor
- Program in Nutritional Metabolism, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Wei
- Program in Nutritional Metabolism, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sara E Looby
- Program in Nutritional Metabolism, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen V Fitch
- Program in Nutritional Metabolism, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jinhee Oh
- Program in Nutritional Metabolism, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chloe O Zimmerman
- Program in Nutritional Metabolism, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Janice Hwang
- Program in Nutritional Metabolism, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Suhny Abbara
- Cardiovascular Imaging Section, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jorge Plutzky
- Division of Cardiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Gregory Robbins
- Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ahmed Tawakol
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Udo Hoffmann
- Cardiovascular Imaging Section, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven K Grinspoon
- Program in Nutritional Metabolism, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Variation of densitometry on computed tomography in COPD--influence of different software tools. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112898. [PMID: 25386874 PMCID: PMC4227864 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Quantitative multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) as a potential biomarker is increasingly used for severity assessment of emphysema in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Aim of this study was to evaluate the user-independent measurement variability between five different fully-automatic densitometry software tools. Material and Methods MDCT and full-body plethysmography incl. forced expiratory volume in 1s and total lung capacity were available for 49 patients with advanced COPD (age = 64±9 years, forced expiratory volume in 1s = 31±6% predicted). Measurement variation regarding lung volume, emphysema volume, emphysema index, and mean lung density was evaluated for two scientific and three commercially available lung densitometry software tools designed to analyze MDCT from different scanner types. Results One scientific tool and one commercial tool failed to process most or all datasets, respectively, and were excluded. One scientific and another commercial tool analyzed 49, the remaining commercial tool 30 datasets. Lung volume, emphysema volume, emphysema index and mean lung density were significantly different amongst these three tools (p<0.001). Limits of agreement for lung volume were [−0.195, −0.052l], [−0.305, −0.131l], and [−0.123, −0.052l] with correlation coefficients of r = 1.00 each. Limits of agreement for emphysema index were [−6.2, 2.9%], [−27.0, 16.9%], and [−25.5, 18.8%], with r = 0.79 to 0.98. Correlation of lung volume with total lung capacity was good to excellent (r = 0.77 to 0.91, p<0.001), but segmented lung volume (6.7±1.3 – 6.8±1.3l) were significantly lower than total lung capacity (7.7±1.7l, p<0.001). Conclusions Technical incompatibilities hindered evaluation of two of five tools. The remaining three showed significant measurement variation for emphysema, hampering quantitative MDCT as a biomarker in COPD. Follow-up studies should currently use identical software, and standardization efforts should encompass software as well.
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Reply: Methodologic Concerns in Reliability of Noncalcified Coronary Artery Plague Burden Quantification. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2014; 203:W344. [DOI: 10.2214/ajr.14.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Methodologic Concerns in Reliability of Noncalcified Coronary Artery Plaque Burden Quantification. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2014; 203:W343. [DOI: 10.2214/ajr.14.12649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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High Risk Plaque Features on Coronary CT Angiography. CURRENT CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING REPORTS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s12410-014-9279-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Maurovich-Horvat P, Ferencik M, Voros S, Merkely B, Hoffmann U. Comprehensive plaque assessment by coronary CT angiography. Nat Rev Cardiol 2014; 11:390-402. [PMID: 24755916 DOI: 10.1038/nrcardio.2014.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 250] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Most acute coronary syndromes are caused by sudden luminal thrombosis due to atherosclerotic plaque rupture or erosion. Preventing such an event seems to be the only effective strategy to reduce mortality and morbidity of coronary heart disease. Coronary lesions prone to rupture have a distinct morphology compared with stable plaques, and provide a unique opportunity for noninvasive imaging to identify vulnerable plaques before they lead to clinical events. The submillimeter spatial resolution and excellent image quality of modern computed tomography (CT) scanners allow coronary atherosclerotic lesions to be detected, characterized, and quantified. Large plaque volume, low CT attenuation, napkin-ring sign, positive remodelling, and spotty calcification are all associated with a high risk of acute cardiovascular events in patients. Computation fluid dynamics allow the calculation of lesion-specific endothelial shear stress and fractional flow reserve, which add functional information to plaque assessment using CT. The combination of morphologic and functional characteristics of coronary plaques might enable noninvasive detection of vulnerable plaques in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pál Maurovich-Horvat
- MTA-SE Lendület Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Centre, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor ut, 1025 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Maros Ferencik
- Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Division of Cardiology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114. USA
| | - Szilard Voros
- Stony Brook University, 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794 USA
| | - Béla Merkely
- MTA-SE Lendület Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Centre, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor ut, 1025 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Udo Hoffmann
- Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Division of Cardiology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114. USA
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