Key result
CT plaque density correlates with calcified tissue content but fails to differentiate other plaque components.
Why the study?
The ability of 64-slice CT angiography to differentiate tissue characteristics of noncalcified coronary plaques remains unclear.
Cross-Sectional (n=86)
Effect estimate: r=0.41
p-value: p=<0.001
CT density correlates only with calcified content; leaves open reliable noncalcified plaque typing by 64-slice CTA.
BACKGROUND: The ability of 64-slice computed tomography (CT) angiography to differentiate plaque types remains unclear. We evaluated whether the density of noncalcified coronary plaques by 64-slice CT angiography correlates with plaque components assessed by integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS). METHODS: Eighty-six patients [stable angina/acute coronary syndrome (ACS) 67/19, mean age 62+/-11 years] who showed significant coronary artery stenosis (> or =50% diameter stenosis) by 64-slice CT angiography underwent coronary angiography and were evaluated using IB-IVUS. RESULTS: A total of 92 noncalcified coronary plaques on CT angiography were evaluated with IB-IVUS. There was a positive correlation between CT density and calcified tissue content (r=0.41, P<0.001). However, the CT density of plaques did not correlate with other tissue components. Patients with ACS showed more lipid (43.1+/-13.2 vs. 35.8+/-13.5, P=0.03) and less soft fibrous tissue (50.5+/-11.7 vs. 56.5+/-12.0, P=0.05) by IB-IVUS than those with stable angina. However, the mean CT density of plaques in ACS was not different from that in stable angina (140.6+/-88.5 vs. 113.1+/-80.9, P=0.19). CONCLUSION: Except for calcified tissue, CT angiography failed to differentiate plaque types of noncalcified tissue. Therefore, the role of 64-slice CT angiography in identifying lipid-rich plaques remains limited.
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Yang et al. (2010) conducted a cross-sectional in Stable angina or acute coronary syndrome with significant coronary artery stenosis (n=86). 64-slice computed tomography (CT) angiography vs. Integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS) was evaluated on Correlation between CT density of noncalcified coronary plaques and plaque components (r=0.41, p=<0.001). 64-slice CT angiography density of noncalcified coronary plaques correlated with calcified tissue content (r=0.41, P<0.001) but failed to differentiate other plaque tissue types.
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