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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 11/2003

01-11-2003 | Cardiac

Multidetector-row computed tomography of the coronary arteries: predictive value and quantitative assessment of non-calcified vessel-wall changes

Authors: Konstantin Nikolaou, Sonja Sagmeister, Andreas Knez, Ernst Klotz, Bernd J. Wintersperger, Christoph R. Becker, Maximilian F. Reiser

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 11/2003

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess non-calcified coronary artery plaques and to determine their predictive value for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 179 patients underwent a calcium screening examination and a contrast-enhanced multidetector-row computed tomography angiography (MDCT) of the coronary arteries for various indications. The traditional calcium scores were evaluated and all examinations were reviewed for the presence of non-calcified plaques with an attenuation of 0–130 Hounsfield units (HU). The number, mean attenuation, and volume of these non-calcified plaques were recorded. All patients also underwent conventional catheter angiography. Coronary calcium was detected in 73% (131 of 179) of the patients. Overall incidence of purely non-calcified plaques was 30% (53 of 179). In 27% of the patients (48 of 179) no calcium was detected; however, 15% of these patients without calcifications showed non-calcified plaques (7 of 48). Significant correlations were found between the volume of calcified plaques, volume of non-calcified plaques, and total plaque volume. There were significant differences in plaque composition comparing different risk factor profiles and different stages of CAD. Volumetric assessment of non-calcified coronary artery plaques is feasible using contrast-enhanced MDCT. Screening for non-calcified plaques identifies patients with signs of CAD that are missed in a calcium screening examination.
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Metadata
Title
Multidetector-row computed tomography of the coronary arteries: predictive value and quantitative assessment of non-calcified vessel-wall changes
Authors
Konstantin Nikolaou
Sonja Sagmeister
Andreas Knez
Ernst Klotz
Bernd J. Wintersperger
Christoph R. Becker
Maximilian F. Reiser
Publication date
01-11-2003
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 11/2003
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-003-2053-y

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