[Diagnostic value of multidetector spiral computed tomography in identifying the composition of coronary atherosclerotic plaques].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the feasibility of 16-multidetector spiral computed tomography (16-MDCT) on detecting coronary plaques in comparison with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).


METHODS
Sixty-eight patients suspected of coronary heart diseases were examined by 16-MDCT, quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and IVUS. Coronary stenosis was defined as lumen diameter reduction (DS) >or= 50%. Hounsfield units (HU) were used to determine different types of plaques: soft plaque (<or= 50 HU), fibrous plaque (50 - 119 HU) and calcified plaque (>or= 120 HU).


RESULTS
Compared to QCA, the sensitivity and the specificity for patients with DS >or= 50% were 91.8% (112/122) and 97.8% (556/568) respectively, the positive and negative predictive value were 90.3% (112/124) and 98.2% (556/566) respectively. In 96 plaques evaluated both by 16-MDCT and IVUS, 20 and 21 soft plaques, 37 and 36 fibrous plaques, 39 and 38 calcified plaques were identified by 16-MDCT and IVUS respectively. HU value of soft (11 +/- 36), fibrous (83 +/- 20), and calcified (292 +/- 80) plaques were significantly different (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Noninvasive 16-MDCT could correctly estimate coronary stenosis and coronary plaques compositions.
Wang
Ming-hui
MH
Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Ge
Jun-bo
JB
Wang
Ke-qiang
KQ
Ling
Zhi-qing
ZQ
Qian
Ju-ying
JY
Ge
Lei
L
Zhang
Feng
F
D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional