title: Automated analysis of coronary artery disease by computed tomography.
abstract: Computer-assisted detection systems are widely used in many areas of radiology. Coronary computed tomography angiography is a growing area of clinical cardiology and computer-assisted detection systems play an integral part in analysis. Truly automated systems are still in clinical-trial stages, but manually assisted programs are in clinical use today for calcium scoring as well as plaque burden, composition, and stenosis analysis. They are being used as a tool for confirmation more than for diagnosis. Accurate plaque-composition analysis would be a critical tool for better understanding the mechanisms and effectiveness of novel therapies for coronary atherosclerosis. A need for a complete quick, safe, noninvasive plaque analysis is the goal of automated coronary stenosis detection systems; however, their potential clinical benefit remains unknown.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gaztanaga
authors.forename: Mario J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Garcia
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*