Does the FPR method using topographic maps in contrast-enhanced CT improve the assessment of regional aortic valve calcification compared to luminal attenuation methods?
Precise regional assessment of aortic valve calcification using the FPR method on contrast-enhanced CT can identify distinct leaflet patterns and sex differences, potentially aiding in monitoring aortic stenosis and predicting TAVR complications.
The FPR method demonstrates the best overall agreement with non-contrast scores across both low and high ends of calcific density compared to luminal attenuation methods. In addition, we showed that leaflet calcific deposition follows distinctive patterns across the belly of the leaflet, with the rate of calcific progression peaking at the non-coronary cusp (NCC) leaflet and lowest for the right-coronary cusp. Females experience significantly lower calcific deposition compared to males despite showing similar patterns and symptoms. Our findings suggest that precise regional assessment of calcific progression could be an important tool for monitoring AS development as well as predicting peri-procedural complications in TAVR.
Abdelkhalek et al. (Fri,) studied this question.