Inadequate increase in the volume of major epicardial coronary arteries compared with that in left ventricular mass. Novel concept for characterization of coronary arteries using 64-slice computed tomography.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have shown a correlation between coronary artery cross-sectional diameter and left ventricular (LV) mass. However, no studies have examined the correlation between actual coronary artery volume (CAV) and LV mass. In the present study, measurements of CAV by 64-multislice computed tomography (MSCT) were validated and the relationship between CAV and LV mass was investigated.


RESULTS
First, coronary artery phantoms consisting of syringes filled with solutions of contrast medium moving at simulated heart rates were scanned by 64-MSCT. Display window settings permitting accurate calculation of small volumes were optimized by evaluating volume-rendered images of the segmented contrast medium at different window settings. Next, 61 patients without significant coronary artery stenosis were scanned by 64-MSCT with the same protocol as for the phantoms. Coronary arteries were segmented on a workstation and the same window settings were applied to the volume-rendered images to calculate total CAV. Significant correlations between total CAV and LV mass (r=0.660, P<0.0001) were found, whereas an inverse relation was present between total CAV per 100 g of LV mass and LV mass.


CONCLUSIONS
The novel concept of "CAV" for the characterization of coronary arteries may prove useful for future research, particularly on the causes of LV hypertrophy.
Ehara
Shoichi
S
Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. ehara@med.osaka-cu.ac.jp
Okuyama
Takuhiro
T
Shirai
Nobuyuki
N
Sugioka
Kenichi
K
Oe
Hiroki
H
Itoh
Toshihide
T
Matsuoka
Toshiyuki
T
Ikura
Yoshihiro
Y
Ueda
Makiko
M
Naruko
Takahiko
T
Hozumi
Takeshi
T
Yoshiyama
Minoru
M
D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D009929:Organ Size; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards