Computed tomography for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease imaging.
Coronary artery calcification (CAC) has long been known to occur as a part of the atherosclerotic process; recently it has been shown to be an active process resembling bone formation within the vessel wall. There is good evidence that the extent of CAC reflects the total coronary atherosclerotic burden and this has generated interest in using CAC as a marker of risk. The current consensus is that large amounts of CAC identify a patient highly vulnerable to future events. The advent of CT angiography added the ability to non-invasively detect critical luminal stenoses that are associated with a more immediate risk of events, and to visualize the non-calcified component of the atherosclerotic plaque.
Raggi
Paolo
P
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road NE, AT-504, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. praggi@emory.edu
Achenbach
Stephan
S
D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000378:metabolism; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D011379:Prognosis; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D002118:Calcium