Identifying the course of a coronary-bronchial artery fistula using contrast-enhanced multi-detector row computed tomography

Although coronary artery fistula is common, sometimes, it is difficult to identify its course, the relationship to surrounding structures and site of drainage by coronary angiography resulting in misinterpretation. We reported a rare case who had a coronary–bronchial artery fistula with bronchiectasis confirmed by contrast-enhanced MDCT.     

多排螺旋CT对冠状动脉钙化的检测

冠状动脉钙化是冠状动脉粥样硬化病变标志之一,反映了粥样硬化斑块,特别是钙化斑块的存在和分布。在过去10余年里,大量电子束CT研究围绕冠状动脉钙化的临床价值、检测方法和可重复性以及冠状动脉钙化演变等热点课题而展开。随着多排螺旋CT的不断发展和普及,它在冠状动脉钙化检测方面的价值也在进行研究,该文就多排螺旋CT在这些方面研究现状作一综述。     

Multidetector row computed tomography: imaging congenital coronary artery anomalies in adults

The quality of the imaging of the main coronary arteries and side branches provided by multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) may have importance when assessing congenital coronary artery anomalies. This review discusses the rationale for using MDCT for this indication and examines the advantages and disadvantages of the technique. Examples of MDCT imaging of congenital coronary artery anomalies are presented. These images provide persuasive evidence to support clinical use of MDCT cardiac imaging in the context of suspected congenital coronary artery anomalies as a first line investigation.     

Successful intensive lipid-lowering therapy using atorvastatin stabilizes coronary artery plaque as assessed by multi-detector row computed tomography

A 35-year-old male was diagnosed as angina pectoris and showed severe stenosis with soft plaque in the proximal segment of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery as detected by multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT). Although percutaneous coronary stent implantation to the LAD lesion was performed, soft plaque remained in the proximal lesion of the stent. Atorvastatin increased the coronary plaque density at the 6-month follow-up MDCT examination, and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level fell from 141 to 63 mg/dl after 6 months. This case may indicate that assessment of the shape or composition of coronary plaque by MDCT is a useful strategy for judging the effects of intensive lipid-lowering therapy using statin.     

冠状动脉钙化积分与冠心病危险因素的相关性

目的经多层冠状动脉CT检查测定的冠状动脉钙化积分对冠心病的诊断具有一定预测价值。而冠心病的危险因素与冠心病的发生、发展、结局和预后密切相关。我们旨在探讨冠状动脉钙化积分与冠心病诸多危险因素之间是否具有相关性。方法入选2001年1月至2007年3月在全国20家医院住院疑诊冠心病患者,采用16排或64排螺旋CT进行冠状动脉增强扫描,并运用自动分析软件进行冠脉钙化积分分析,共入选患者311例,根据冠状动脉钙化积分值分为低分值组（0～12）、中分值组（13～445）和高分值组（446以上）,比较冠状动脉钙化积分与冠心病危险因素之间的关系。结果不同冠状动脉钙化积分分组之间,平均年龄、冠心病家族史比例、高密度脂蛋白数值和糖尿病比例等方面存在差异,P〈0.05。多元Logistic回归分析显示,疑诊冠心病患者年龄（OR=1.061,95%CI1.004～1.121,P=0.036）和低HDL-C水平（OR=0.321,95%CI0.113～0.909,P=0.032）是冠状动脉钙化积分的显著相关危险因素。结论年龄、冠心病家族史、低HDL和糖尿病等冠心病危险因素与冠状动脉钙化密切相关,合并多种冠心病危险因素的患者,尤其是老年和低HDL-C患者,行多层冠状动脉CT检查及冠状动脉钙化积分测定,对冠心病的早期诊断具有一定帮助。     

Sequential radial artery for coronary artery bypass grafting: Five-year follow-up and evaluation with multi-detector row computed tomography

This study was undertaken to compare early postoperative results, programmed multi-detector row computed tomography coronary angiographic patency and midterm results of revascularization by sequential radial artery grafting with those of single radial artery grafting during a five-year period. Patients were grouped as those with sequential radial artery grafts (Group A, n = 27) and single radial artery grafts (Group B, n = 26). Multi-detector row computed tomography coronary angiography was scheduled at 1 and 5 years postoperatively. Each distal anastomosis was accepted as nonfunctional if a radial artery graft was occluded proximally or there was a critical stenosis. One sequential radial artery graft and two single radial artery grafts failed in the 1-year period (p > 0.05). In the 5-year period, three radial artery grafts failed in each group (p > 0.05). In Group A, there was no mortality in the five-year period, but in Group B, one patient died four years after the operation due to cardiac problems (p > 0.05). In addition to one death in Group B, there were three percutaneous interventions and two myocardial infarctions among the 26 patients during the five-year follow-up. In group A, among 27 patients, there were 4 percutaneous interventions and one myocardial infarction (p > 0.05). Although the sample size is relatively small to be conclusive, these data suggest that sequential radial artery grafting may be considered as a method of choice for maximizing arterial graft survival and patency. Noninvasive control of sequential and single radial artery grafts with multi-detector row computed tomography is feasible with no discomfort for the patient and excellent visualization of grafts.     

Visualization of coronary artery anomalies and their anatomic course by contrast-enhanced electron beam tomography and three-dimensional reconstruction

Anomalous coronary arteries are rare conditions. However, they may cause myocardial ischemia and sudden death and their reliable identification is crucial for any imaging method that attempts coronary artery visualization. We studied the ability of contrast-enhanced electron beam tomography (EBT) to identify anomalous coronary arteries and their course. Thirty patients with previously identified coronary anomalies and 30 subjects with normal coronary anatomy were studied. By EBT, 40 to 50 axial images of the heart (3-mm slice thickness, 1 mm overlap, electrocardiographic trigger) were acquired in a single breathhold during continuous injection of contrast agent (160 ml, 4 ml/s). Based on the original images and 3-dimensional reconstructions, the EBT data were analyzed by 2 blinded observers as to the presence of coronary anomalies and their course. Results were compared with invasive angiography. EBT correctly identified all normal controls and all patients with coronary anomalies. The anatomic course of the coronary anomalies was correctly classified in 29 of 30 patients (97%), including right-sided origin of the left main coronary artery (n = 4) or of the left circumflex coronary artery (n = 15), left-sided origin of the right coronary artery (n = 9), and 1 coronary fistula from the left circumflex coronary artery to the right atrium. Only the distal anastomosis of a second fistula from the left circumflex coronary artery to a bronchial artery was not correctly identified. This study demonstrates that contrast-enhanced EBT is a reliable noninvasive technique to identify anomalous coronary arteries and their course.     

Noninvasive coronary artery imaging by multislice spiral computed tomography.

Although the excellent spatial resolution of multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) enables the coronary arteries to be visualized, its limited temporal resolution results in poor image reproducibility because of cardiac motion artifact (CMA) and hence limits its widespread clinical use. A novel retrospectively ECG-gated reconstruction method has been developed to minimize CMA. In 88 consecutive patients, the scan data were reconstructed using 2 retrospectively ECG-gated reconstruction methods. Method 1: the end of the reconstruction window (250 ms) was positioned at the peak of the P wave on ECG, which corresponded to the end of the slow filling phase during diastole immediately before atrial contraction. Method 2 (conventional method): relative retrospective gating with 50% referred to the R-R interval was performed so that the beginning of the reconstruction window (250 ms) was positioned at the halfway point between the R-R intervals of the heart cycle. The quality of the coronary artery images was evaluated according to the presence or absence of CMA. The assessment was applied to the left main coronary artery (LMCA), the left anterior descending artery (LAD, segments #6, #7 and #8), the left circumflex artery (LCx, segments #11 and #13) and the right coronary artery (RCA, segments #1, #2 and #3). The first diagonal artery (#9-1), the obtuse marginal artery (#12-1), the posterior descending artery (#4-PD), the atrioventricular node branch (#4-AV) and the first right ventricular branch (RV) were also evaluated. Of the 88 patients, 85 were eligible for image evaluation. Method 1 allowed visualization of the major coronary arteries without CMA in the majority of patients. The LCA system (segments #5-7, #11 and #13) and the proximal portion of the RCA were visualized in more than 94% of patients. Artifact-free visualization of the distal portion of the LAD (segment #8) and RCA (#4PD and #4AV), and side branches (#9-1, #12-1 and RV) was also achieved in more than 80% of patients. On the other hand, CMA occurred frequently on images obtained by Method 2. The LCx and RCA systems were the most affected by CMA, revealing only 41% artifact-free visualization of the segment #13, 39% of #1, 15% of #2 and 32% of #3. Thus, Method 1, which avoids the ventricular motion occurring during the rapid filling and atrial contraction phases, gives superior image quality over the conventional ECG-gated reconstruction method.     

Anomalous origin of the left anterior descending artery from the main pulmonary artery with multi-detector row computed tomography coronary angiography

Anomalous origin of the left anterior descending artery from the main pulmonary artery is a rare congenital anomaly of the coronary artery. We present a case report of a 31-year-old male patient with anomalous origin of the left anterior descending artery from the main pulmonary artery that was diagnosed by multi-detector row computed tomography coronary angiography and correlated with conventional angiography. The results indicate that multi-detector row computed tomography plays an important role in the diagnosis of some rare coronary anomalies that conventional angiography cannot clarify.     

Assessment of coronary artery stent restenosis by 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography.

AIMS: We investigated the feasibility of assessing coronary artery stent restenosis using a new generation 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography-scanner (MDCT) in comparison to conventional quantitative angiography. METHODS AND RESULTS: MDCT was performed in 64 consecutive patients (mean age 58+/-10 years) with previously implanted coronary artery stents (102 stented lesions: mean stent diameter 3.17+/-0.38 mm). Each stent was classified as 'evaluable' or 'unevaluable', and in evaluable stents, the presence of in-stent restenosis (diameter reduction >50%) was determined visually. Results were verified against invasive, quantitative coronary angiography. Fifty-nine stented lesions (58%) were classified as evaluable in MDCT. The mean diameter of evaluable stents was 3.28+/-0.40 mm, whereas the mean diameter of non-evaluable stents was 3.03+/-0.31 mm (P=0.0002). Overall, six of 12 in-stent restenoses were correctly detected by MDCT [50% sensitivity (confidence interval 22-77%)] and in 51 of 90 lesions, in-stent restenosis was correctly ruled out [57% specificity (46-67%)]. In evaluable stents, six of seven in-stent restenoses were correctly detected, and the absence of in-stent stenosis was correctly identified in 51 of 52 cases [sensitivity 86% (42-99%) and specificity 98% (88-100%)]. CONCLUSION: Stent type and diameter influence evaluability concerning in-stent restenosis by MDCT. The rate of assessable stents is low, but in evaluable stents, accuracy for detection of in-stent restenosis can be high.     

冠状动脉起源异常的双源CT冠状动脉成像

目的评估双源CT对冠状动脉起源异常的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析双源CT冠状动脉成像5153例临床资料,分析冠状动脉起源异常的CT特征。结果 5153例患者中,检出冠状动脉起源异常共141例(2.74%),其中主干起源异常102例(1.98%),分支起源异常39例(0.76%)。结论双源CT能够准确地显示冠状动脉起源异常及走行,为临床制定诊疗方案提供参考。     

多层螺旋CT评价冠状动脉旁路移植术疗效的初步应用

目的：评价多层螺旋CT(MSCT)冠状动脉成像在冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)后初步应用的价值。方法：6例患经CABG后行MSCT冠状动脉成像，其中1例与选择性冠状动脉造影进行了对照。结果：6例的17支旁路移植术血管中16支管腔开通，1支右冠状动脉移植血管闭塞．并经导管造影证实。结论：MSCT冠状动脉成像是一种简便易行，又安全的无创性检查方法，可随访观察CABG后移植血管的通畅情况，具有良好的临床应用价值。     

Diagnosis of coronary in-stent restenosis with multidetector row spiral computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of a new generation spiral multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanner (Brilliance 40, Philips Medical Systems, Cleveland, Ohio) in the diagnosis of coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR). BACKGROUND: Noninvasive imaging of ISR would be clinically useful, but artifacts caused by metallic stent struts have limited the role of early generation MDCT scanners. METHODS: We examined 65 patients (age 63 +/- 12 years, 48 [73.8%] men) with 111 implanted coronary stents who were referred for repeat invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Patients underwent 40-slice MDCT one to three days before scheduled ICA, using intravenous contrast enhancement. Images were reconstructed in multiple formats using retrospective electrocardiographic gating. Stents were viewed in their long and short axes and luminal contrast attenuation graded from MDCT grade 1 (minimal restenosis) to 4 (severe restenosis) by consensus of two observers. RESULTS: In-stent restenosis (>/=60% luminal narrowing by quantitative coronary angiography) was found on ICA in 18 (16.2%) of the stented segments and in 16 (24.6%) patients. The MDCT findings correlated with ICA restenosis, with restenosis in only 1 of 59 (1.6%) MDCT grade 1 segments, but in more than three-quarters (12 of 15, 80%) of MDCT grade 4 segments (sensitivity 72.2%, specificity 92.5%, positive predictive value [PPV] 65.0%, negative predictive value [NPV] 94.5% [five stents not assessable by MDCT considered as restenosis]). Using MDCT grades 3 or 4 combined for restenosis, sensitivity of MDCT was 88.9%, specificity 80.6%, PPV 47.1%, and NPV 97.4%. CONCLUSIONS: In-stent restenosis can be diagnosed with moderate sensitivity using a new generation 40-slice MDCT scanner. The high NPV implies a significant role for MDCT in excluding ISR.