128-detector-row computed tomography coronary angiography assessing differences in morphology and distribution of atherosclerotic plaques between patients with and without pre-test probability of significant coronary artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare morphology, distribution and orientation of atherosclerotic plaques at the coronary arteries between patients with low and intermediate pre-test probability of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) by non-invasive coronary angiography using 128-Multi Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT).


METHODS
The study included 120 patients divided into two groups according to their clinical pre-test probability of having significant CAD: 38 patients (group A) with intermediate pre-test probability and 82 patients (group B) with low pre-test probability of significant CAD. Atherosclerotic plaques were characterized according to their morphology, distribution and orientation.


RESULTS
A total of 482 plaques were analyzed. In group A, we found statistically significant higher percentages of RCA plaques (p=0.0005), of concentric (p<0.0001) and non-branching (p=0.013) plaques, of myocardial plaques (p=0.029), of plaques in distal RCA (p=0.0009) and distal LAD (p=0.001). In group B, we found statistically significant higher percentages of LAD plaques (p<0.0001), of eccentric (p<0.0001) and branching (p=0.013) plaques, of lateral plaques (p=0.012), of Medina 1.0.0 (p=0.0069), 0.1.0 (p=0.022) and 1.1.1 (p=0.0068) branching plaques, and of plaques in proximal LAD (p=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
128-MDCT coronary angiography can provide important information on morphology and distribution of atherosclerotic plaques and may in the future play a potential role in patient management.
Lazoura
O
O
Department of Radiology, Medical School of Thessaly, Thessaly, Greece. olgalazoura@yahoo.gr
Vlychou
M
M
Vassiou
K
K
Kelekis
A
A
Kanavou
T
T
Thriskos
P
P
Fezoulidis
I V
IV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*