Computed tomography imaging of coronary artery plaque: characterization and prognosis.
The exact definition and prognostication of vulnerable plaque remain elusive, and multiple imaging modalities aim to identify these plaques. As a noninvasive technique for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, coronary computed tomography angiography has become increasingly utilized, primarily in patients with an elevated cardiovascular risk profile. Recent advances in technical methods have allowed for improved visualization of the vessel wall and surrounding tissue, allowing for improved characterization of vulnerable plaques by identifying features such as low-density plaques, positive remodeling, and spotty calcification. Quantification and qualification of these plaques may enhance the ability to predict future cardiovascular events.
Department of Radiology, Heart & Vascular Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Ashley River Tower, 25 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC 29425-2260, USA; First Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University Medical Centre Mannheim (UMM), University of Heidelberg, Thedor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, Mannheim 68167, Germany.
Stefan
S
Baumann
Department of Radiology, Heart & Vascular Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Ashley River Tower, 25 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC 29425-2260, USA; Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Center, Benekestraβe 2, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany.
Matthias
M
Renker
Department of Radiology, Heart & Vascular Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Ashley River Tower, 25 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC 29425-2260, USA; Department of Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Marchioninistraβe 15, Munich 81377, Germany.
Felix G
FG
Meinel
Department of Radiology, Heart & Vascular Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Ashley River Tower, 25 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC 29425-2260, USA; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Frankfurt am Main 60590, Germany.
Julian L
JL
Wichmann
Department of Radiology, Heart & Vascular Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Ashley River Tower, 25 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC 29425-2260, USA.
Stephen R
SR
Fuller
Division of Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Drive, ART 7058, MSC 592, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Richard R
RR
Bayer
Department of Radiology, Heart & Vascular Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Ashley River Tower, 25 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC 29425-2260, USA. Electronic address: schoepf@musc.edu.
U Joseph
UJ
Schoepf
Division of Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Drive, ART 7058, MSC 592, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Daniel H
DH
Steinberg
D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011379:Prognosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
Characterization; Coronary artery disease; Coronary computed tomography; Coronary plaque; Prognosis