Smoking and obesity predict high-risk plaque by coronary CTA in low coronary artery calcium score (CACS)

BackgroundThe AHA recommends statins in patients with CACS>100 AU. However in patients with low CACS (1–99 AU), no clear statement is provided, leaving the clinician in a grey-zone. High-risk plaque (HRP) criteria by coronary CTA are novel imaging biomarkers indicating a higher a-priori cardiovascular (CV) risk, which could help for decision-making. Therefore the objective of our study was to identify which CV-risk factors predict HRP in patients with low CACS 1–99.Methods1003 symptomatic patients with low-to-intermediate risk, a clinical indication for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and who had a coronary artery calcium score (CACS) between 1 and 99 AU, were enrolled. CCTA analysis included: stenosis severity and HRP-criteria: low-attenuation plaque (LAP <30HU, <60HU and <90HU) napkin-ring-sign, spotty calcification and positive remodeling. Multivariate regression models were created for predicting HRP-criteria by the major 5 cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) (smoking, arterial hypertension, positive family history, dyslipidemia, diabetes) and obesity (BMI>25 ​kg/m²).Results304 (33.5%) were smokers. 20.4% of smokers had HRP compared with only 14.9% of non-smokers (p ​= ​0.045). Male gender was associated with HRP (p ​< ​0.001).Smoking but not the other 5 CVRF had the most associations with HRP-criteria (LAP<60HU/≥2 criteria:OR 1.59; 95%CI:1.07–2.35), LAP<90HU (OR 1.57; 95%CI:1.01–2.43), Napkin-Ring-Sign (OR 1.78; 95%CI:1.02–3.1) and positive remodelling (OR 1.54; 95%CI:1.09–2.19). Smoking predicted fibrofatty LAP<90HU in males only. Obesity predicted LAP<60HU in both females and males.ConclusionsIn patients with low CACS 1-99AU, male gender, smoking and obesity, but not the other CVRF predict HRP. These patients would rather benefit from intensification of primary CV-prevention measures such as statins.     

冠状动脉CTA钙化斑块与冠心病中医证候要素的相关性研究

目的 :分析冠状动脉CTA冠状动脉钙化积分、管腔狭窄情况、斑块钙化形态,以及三者与中医证候要素的相关性,为中西医结合预防和治疗冠心病提供理论和临床方面的依据。方法:以60例冠心病为研究对象,统计冠状动脉CTA的冠状动脉钙化积分、管腔狭窄程度,分析斑块钙化形态,对患者行中医证候要素辨识;探讨冠状动脉CTA收集指标与血瘀、气虚、痰浊、阴虚、气滞、阳虚、寒凝7个中医证候要素的关系。结果:血瘀患者的总钙化积分、总斑块数最高;血瘀、寒凝、阴虚、阳虚的血管钙化程度较重,痰浊、气虚的钙化程度较轻;血瘀与总钙化积分、斑块数量、钙化程度呈正相关;痰浊与总钙化积分、斑块数量、钙化程度呈负相关。结论:中医证候要素与冠状动脉CTA的部分指标具有相关性,血瘀对于冠心病的影响重大,阳虚亦不可忽视。此研究结果可为中西医结合预防和治疗冠心病提供研究理论和临床方面的依据。     

Relationship of epicardial fat volume to coronary plaque,severe coronary stenosis,and high-risk coronary plaque features assessed by coronary CT angiography

BackgroundAssociations of epicardial fat volume (EFV) measured on noncontrast cardiac CT (NCT) include coronary plaque, myocardial ischemia, and adverse cardiac events.ObjectivesThis study aimed to define the relationship of EFV to coronary plaque type, severe coronary stenosis, and the presence of high-risk plaque features (HRPFs).MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 402 consecutive patients, with no prior history of coronary artery disease, who underwent same day NCT and coronary CT angiography (CTA). EFV was measured on NCT with the use of validated, semiautomated software. The coronary arteries were evaluated for coronary plaque type (calcified [CP], noncalcified [NCP], or partially calcified [PCP]) and coronary stenosis severity ≥70% with the use of coronary CTA. For patients with NCP and PCP, 2 high-risk plaque features were evaluated: low-attenuation plaque and positive remodeling.ResultsThere were 402 patients with a median age of 66 years (range, 23–92 years) of whom 226 (56%) were men. The EFV was greater in patients with CP (112 ± 55 cm³ vs 89 ± 39 cm³), PCP (110 ± 57 cm³ vs 98 ± 45 cm³), and NCP (115 ± 44 cm³ vs EFV 100 ± 52 cm³). In the 192 patients with PCP or NCP, on multivariable analysis, after adjusting for conventional cardiovascular risk factors, EFV was an independent predictor of ≥70% coronary artery stenosis (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% CI, 1.3–6.6; P = 0.008), any high-risk plaque features (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 0.9–3.4; P = 0.04), and low attention plaque (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1–5.1; P = 0.02) but not of positive remodeling.ConclusionsEFV is greater in patients with CP, PCP, and NCP. In patients with NCP and PCP, EFV is significantly associated with severe coronary stenosis, high-risk plaque features, and low attenuation plaque.     

冠状动脉CTA钙化积分与炎性因子及斑块稳定相关性分析

目的 探讨冠状动脉CTA钙化积分(coronary CTA calcification score,CACS)与冠心病患者斑块稳定性指标与血清炎性因子的关系.方法选取本院收治的冠心病患者共136例,将全部患者根据冠状动脉病变程度的不同可分为单支病变组49例,两支病变组68例与三支病变组19例.结果 与单支病变组相比,两...     

Relation between quantitative coronary CTA and myocardial ischemia by adenosine stress myocardial CT perfusion

Journal of Nuclear Cardiology - Coronary-computed tomography angiography (CTA) has limited accuracy to predict myocardial ischemia. Besides luminal area stenosis, other coronary plaque morphology...     

利用CT评估伴和不伴糖尿病病人的冠状动脉疾病和冠状动脉钙化斑块负荷

目的使用CT冠状动脉血管成像(CTCA)比较伴和不伴2型糖尿病病人的冠状动脉粥样硬化负荷。方法与材料无冠状动脉疾病(CAD)史的147例糖尿病病人[平均年龄(65±10)岁;男89例]和979例非糖尿病病人[平均年龄(61±13)岁;男567例]行CTCA检查。测定了每例病人的冠状动脉     

Assessment of coronary artery disease and calcified coronary plaque burden by computed tomography in patients with and without diabetes mellitus

Purpose

To compare the coronary atherosclerotic burden in patients with and without type-2 diabetes using CT Coronary Angiography (CTCA).

Methods and Materials

147 diabetic (mean age: 65?±?10?years; male: 89) and 979 nondiabetic patients (mean age: 61?±?13?years; male: 567) without a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent CTCA. The per-patient number of diseased coronary segments was determined and each diseased segment was classified as showing obstructive lesion (luminal narrowing >50%) or not. Coronary calcium scoring (CCS) was assessed too.

Results

Diabetics showed a higher number of diseased segments (4.1?±?4.2 vs. 2.1?±?3.0; p??400 (p?p?p?p?=?0.003) and obstructive CAD (12.5% vs. 3.8%, p?=?0.01). Among patients with CCS????10 all diabetics with obstructive CAD had a zero CCS and one patient was asymptomatic.

Conclusions

Diabetes was associated with higher coronary plaque burden. The present study demonstrates that the absence of coronary calcification does not exclude obstructive CAD especially in diabetics.     

Percent atheroma volume: Optimal variable to report whole-heart atherosclerotic plaque burden with coronary CTA,the PARADIGM study

Background and aimsDifferent methodologies to report whole-heart atherosclerotic plaque on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) have been utilized. We examined which of the three commonly used plaque burden definitions was least affected by differences in body surface area (BSA) and sex.MethodsThe PARADIGM study includes symptomatic patients with suspected coronary atherosclerosis who underwent serial CCTA >2 years apart. Coronary lumen, vessel, and plaque were quantified from the coronary tree on a 0.5 mm cross-sectional basis by a core-lab, and summed to per-patient. Three quantitative methods of plaque burden were employed: (1) total plaque volume (PV) in mm³, (2) percent atheroma volume (PAV) in % [which equaled: PV/vessel volume * 100%], and (3) normalized total atheroma volume (TAV_norm) in mm³ [which equaled: PV/vessel length * mean population vessel length]. Only data from the baseline CCTA were used. PV, PAV, and TAV_norm were compared between patients in the top quartile of BSA vs the remaining, and between sexes. Associations between vessel volume, BSA, and the three plaque burden methodologies were assessed.ResultsThe study population comprised 1479 patients (age 60.7 ± 9.3 years, 58.4% male) who underwent CCTA. A total of 17,649 coronary artery segments were evaluated with a median of 12 (IQR 11–13) segments per-patient (from a 16-segment coronary tree). Patients with a large BSA (top quartile), compared with the remaining patients, had a larger PV and TAV_norm, but similar PAV. The relation between larger BSA and larger absolute plaque volume (PV and TAV_norm) was mediated by the coronary vessel volume. Independent from the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk (ASCVD) score, vessel volume correlated with PV (P < 0.001), and TAV_norm (P = 0.003), but not with PAV (P = 0.201). The three plaque burden methods were equally affected by sex.ConclusionsPAV was less affected by patient's body surface area then PV and TAV_norm and may be the preferred method to report coronary atherosclerotic burden.     

Improvement in LDL is associated with decrease in non-calcified plaque volume on coronary CTA as measured by automated quantitative software

BackgroundComputed tomography coronary angiography (CTA) can be used for assessment of plaque characteristics; however, quantitative assessment of changes in plaque composition in response to LDL lowering has not been performed with CTA. We sought to assess the association between LDL reduction and changes in plaque composition with quantitative CTA.MethodsQuantification of total, calcified, non-calcified and low-density non-calcified plaque volumes (TPV, CPV, NCPV and LD-NCPV) was performed using semi-automated software in 234 vessels from 116 consecutive patients (89 men, 60 ± 10 years) with baseline LDL>70 mg/dl. Significant reduction in LDL was defined as a decrease by >10% of baseline LDL. Changes (Δ) in plaque volumes between the second and baseline study were compared between patients with LDL reduction (n = 63) and those with no decrease in LDL (n = 53).ResultsMedian LDL at baseline was 98 mg/dl [interquartile range (IQR) 83–119 mg/dl] and median ΔLDL was −14 mg/dl (IQR -38 to 3 mg/dl). Mean interval between sequential CTA was 3.5 ± 1.6 years. TPV, NCPV, and LD-NCPV decreased in patients with a reduction in LDL compared to baseline; whereas, patients without reduction in LDL experienced an increase in TPV, NCPV and LD-NCPV. After adjusting for age, statin use, diabetes, baseline LDL and baseline TPV, reduction in LDL was associated with a decrease in TPV (P = 0.005), NCPV (P = 0.002) and LD-NCPV (P = 0.011) compared to patients without a reduction in LDL.ConclusionReduction in LDL was associated with beneficial changes in the amount and composition of noncalcified plaque as measured using semi-automated quantitative software by CTA.     

Threshold,incidence, and predictors of prognostically high-risk silent ischemia in asymptomatic patients without prior diagnosis of coronary artery disease

Background  Little is known about incidence, threshold, and predictors of prognostically relevant silent ischemia (SI). The aim was to study these three aspects of silent coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods  In total, 3,664 consecutive asymptomatic patients without prior diagnosis of CAD undergoing myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) were evaluated and followed-up ≥1 year for Events (HE): cardiac death or myocardial infarction. MPS was interpreted using a 20 segment model to define summed stress, rest, and difference scores (the extent of % myocardium ischemic was derived). Prognostic high-risk ischemia was defined as ischemia consistent with a HE rate ≥3%. Results  Overall, ≥7.5% myocardium ischemic was consistent with high risk. Twenty-one and six percent of patients had ischemia and high-risk ischemia, respectively. Patients with high-risk ischemia had a worse prognosis than patients with less SI, HE rate of 3.1 and 0.4%, respectively, (P = .0001). Sex, age, diabetes, hypertension, abnormal resting ECG, angina, peak heart rate, blood pressure during treadmill testing, ST-depression, and Duke treadmill score were independent predictors of relevant SI. Conclusions  In total, ≥7.5% myocardium ischemic revealed to be consistent with high risk. Six percent of patients had evidence of high-risk SI. Diagnostic scores are provided to most likely identify patients with high-risk SI. This work was presented in part at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology in Munich, Germany, 2004.     

Physical activity and the presence and extent of calcified coronary atherosclerosis

PURPOSE: Regular physical activity leads to a more favorable cardiovascular risk factor profile and a lower risk of developing incident coronary heart disease (CHD). These correlations suggest that higher levels of physical activity should also attenuate the presence and extent of coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: Physical activity was measured using the Baecke Physical Activity Index in 630 consecutive asymptomatic men and women ages 39-45 without known heart disease. The degree of physical activity was compared with the cardiovascular risk factor profile and the presence and extent of subclinical atherosclerosis measured using electron beam computed tomography. RESULTS: Sports-related physical activity was associated with lower body mass index (r = -0.11; P = 0.001), higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (r = 0.13; P = 0.003) and less glucose resistance as assessed by fasting serum insulin levels (r = -0.16; P = 0.001). Leisure-time and work-related physical activity were unrelated to any coronary risk variables. Calcified subclinical atherosclerosis was unrelated to all physical activity dimensions. Comparing the most sedentary (lowest quartile) and most active (highest quartile) patients, the prevalence of coronary calcium (17.0% vs 18.5%; P = 0.92) and mean coronary calcium scores (8 +/- 31 vs 5 +/- 15; P = 0.87) were similar. In a multivariate model controlling for standard cardiovascular risk factors and physical activity level, only low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was associated with the presence of coronary calcium. CONCLUSION: Physical activity, particularly high-intensity exercise in sports-related activities, promotes a healthy cardiovascular risk profile, including lower body mass index and insulin resistance, but is unrelated to coronary calcification. This suggests that the risk reduction associated with physical activity is mediated by factors other than retarding the development of calcified atherosclerosis.     

CTA and MRA in mesenteric ischemia: part 1, Role in diagnosis and differential diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: CT angiography and MR angiography are the main techniques for the noninvasive diagnosis of mesenteric ischemia. High clinical suspicion and knowledge of the differential diagnostic possibilities in this clinical setting are essential for the correct interpretation of the scans. CONCLUSION: CT angiography and MR angiography are well suited for the workup of patients when mesenteric ischemia is suspected.     

The vulnerable, or high-risk, atherosclerotic plaque: noninvasive MR imaging for characterization and assessment

"Vulnerable" plaques are atherosclerotic plaques that have a high likelihood to cause thrombotic complications, such as myocardial infarction or stroke. Plaques that tend to progress rapidly are also considered to be vulnerable. Besides luminal stenosis, plaque composition and morphology are key determinants of the likelihood that a plaque will cause cardiovascular events. Noninvasive magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has great potential to enable characterization of atherosclerotic plaque composition and morphology and thus to help assess plaque vulnerability. A classification for clinical, as well as pathologic, evaluation of vulnerable plaques was recently put forward in which five major and five minor criteria to define vulnerable plaques were proposed. The purpose of this review is to summarize the status of MR imaging with regard to depiction of the criteria that define vulnerable plaques by using existing MR techniques. The use of MR imaging in animal models and in human disease in various vascular beds, particularly the carotid arteries, is presented.