Characterization of hyperintense plaque with noncontrast T(1)-weighted cardiac magnetic resonance coronary plaque imaging: comparison with multislice computed tomography and intravascular ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to characterize coronary hyperintense plaques (HIP) using noncontrast T(1)-weighted imaging (T1WI) in cardiac magnetic resonance, which was then compared with multislice computed tomography and intravascular ultrasound.


BACKGROUND
Carotid plaque components such as intraplaque hemorrhages and/or lipid-rich necrotic cores can be detected as HIP by noncontrast T1WI. Although coronary HIPs have been successfully detected using this technique, the properties of hyperintense signals in coronary plaques have not yet been systematically evaluated.


METHODS
Thirty-eight lesions from 37 patients with angina pectoris who demonstrated >70% coronary stenosis on multislice computed tomography were evaluated by noncontrast T1WI using a 1.5-T magnetic resonance imager, and 25 lesions were evaluated by intravascular ultrasound. Signal intensity of coronary plaque to cardiac muscle ratio >1.0 was defined as HIP. We divided 25 lesions into the 2 groups, according to the presence or absence of HIP: HIP (n = 18) and non-HIP (n = 7) groups.


RESULTS
In comparison with the non-HIP group, the HIP group demonstrated significantly higher coronary plaque to cardiac muscle ratio (1.7 +/- 0.7 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.1, p < 0.01), higher frequency of positive remodeling as observed by both multislice computed tomography (89% vs. 0%, p<0.0001) and intravascular ultrasound (94% vs. 14%, p < 0.001) and ultrasound attenuation (100% vs. 14.3%, p < 0.0001). The frequency of spotty calcification tended to be higher in HIP (89% vs. 50%, p = 0.079). The HIP group also exhibited a significantly lower computed tomography density (-23.2 +/- 20.7 Hounsfield units [HU] vs. 9.6 +/- 20.5 HU, p < 0.01). In addition, the incidence of transient slow-flow phenomena was significantly higher in the HIP group than in the non-HIP group (83% vs. 14%, p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The typical HIP case was associated with ultrasound attenuation, positive remodeling, remarkably low computed tomography density, and a high incidence of slow-flow phenomena. Noncontrast T1WI in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may be useful for the assessment of coronary plaque characterization in patients with coronary artery disease.
Kawasaki
Tomohiro
T
Cardiovascular Center, Shin-Koga Hospital, Kurume, Japan. to-kawasaki@mug.biglobe.ne.jp
Koga
Shoichi
S
Koga
Nobuhiko
N
Noguchi
Teruo
T
Tanaka
Hidenori
H
Koga
Hisashi
H
Serikawa
Takeshi
T
Orita
Yoshiya
Y
Ikeda
Shinsuke
S
Mito
Takahiro
T
Goto
Yoshitaka
Y
Shintani
Yoshiaki
Y
Tanaka
Atsushi
A
Fukuyama
Takaya
T
D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional