Objectives This study sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice computed tomographic coronary angiography (CTCA) to detect or rule out significant coronary artery disease (CAD). ...Background CTCA is emerging as a noninvasive technique to detect coronary atherosclerosis. Methods We conducted a prospective, multicenter, multivendor study involving 360 symptomatic patients with acute and stable anginal syndromes who were between 50 and 70 years of age and were referred for diagnostic conventional coronary angiography (CCA) from September 2004 through June 2006. All patients underwent a nonenhanced calcium scan and a CTCA, which was compared with CCA. No patients or segments were excluded because of impaired image quality attributable to either coronary motion or calcifications. Patient-, vessel-, and segment-based sensitivities and specificities were calculated to detect or rule out significant CAD, defined as ≥50% lumen diameter reduction. Results The prevalence among patients of having at least 1 significant stenosis was 68%. In a patient-based analysis, the sensitivity for detecting patients with significant CAD was 99% (95% confidence interval CI: 98% to 100%), specificity was 64% (95% CI: 55% to 73%), positive predictive value was 86% (95% CI: 82% to 90%), and negative predictive value was 97% (95% CI: 94% to 100%). In a segment-based analysis, the sensitivity was 88% (95% CI: 85% to 91%), specificity was 90% (95% CI: 89% to 92%), positive predictive value was 47% (95% CI: 44% to 51%), and negative predictive value was 99% (95% CI: 98% to 99%). Conclusions Among patients in whom a decision had already been made to obtain CCA, 64-slice CTCA was reliable for ruling out significant CAD in patients with stable and unstable anginal syndromes. A positive 64-slice CTCA scan often overestimates the severity of atherosclerotic obstructions and requires further testing to guide patient management.
Location of aortic valve calcium (AVC) can be better visualized on contrast-enhanced multidetector row computed tomography. The present evaluation examined whether AVC severity and its location could ...influence paravalvular aortic regurgitation (AR) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. A total of 79 patients (age 80 ± 7 years, 49% men) with preprocedural multidetector row computed tomography were included. Volumetric AVC quantification and its location were assessed. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed to assess the presence and site of AR after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to evaluate the usefulness of AVC in determining paravalvular AR at a specific site. Postprocedural AR of grade 1 or more was observed in 63 patients. In most patients (n = 56, 71%), AR was of paravalvular origin. Calcium at the aortic wall of each valve cusp had the largest area under the curve (0.93, p <0.001) in predicting paravalvular AR at the aortic wall site compared to calcium at the valvular edge or body (area under the curve 0.58 and 0.67, respectively). Calcium at the valvular commissure was better than calcium at the valvular edge (area under the curve 0.94 vs 0.71) in predicting paravavular AR originating from the corresponding commissure. In conclusion, contrast-enhanced multidetector row computed tomography can be performed to quantify AVC. Both AVC severity and its exact location are important in determining paravalvular AR after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
Objectives This study was designed to determine whether multislice computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography has incremental prognostic value over single-photon emission computed tomography ...myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Background Although MSCT is used for the detection of CAD in addition to MPI, its incremental prognostic value is unclear. Methods In 541 patients (59% male, age 59 ± 11 years) referred for further cardiac evaluation, both MSCT and MPI were performed. The following events were recorded: all-cause death, nonfatal infarction, and unstable angina requiring revascularization. Results In the 517 (96%) patients with an interpretable MSCT, significant CAD (MSCT ≥50% stenosis) was detected in 158 (31%) patients, and abnormal perfusion (summed stress score SSS: ≥4) was observed in 168 (33%) patients. During follow-up (median 672 days; 25th, 75th percentile: 420, 896), an event occurred in 23 (5.2%) patients. After correction for baseline characteristics in a multivariate model, MSCT emerged as an independent predictor of events with an incremental prognostic value to MPI. The annualized hard event rate (all-cause mortality and nonfatal infarction) in patients with none or mild CAD (MSCT <50% stenosis) was 1.8% versus 4.8% in patients with significant CAD (MSCT ≥50% stenosis). A normal MPI (SSS <4) and abnormal MPI (SSS ≥4) were associated with an annualized hard event rate of 1.1% and 3.8%, respectively. Both MSCT and MPI were synergistic, and combined use resulted in significantly improved prediction (log-rank test p value <0.005). Conclusions MSCT is an independent predictor of events and provides incremental prognostic value to MPI. Combined anatomical and functional assessment may allow improved risk stratification.
Usefulness of 64-Slice Multislice Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography to Assess In-Stent Restenosis Filippo Cademartiri, Joanne D. Schuijf, Francesca Pugliese, Nico R. Mollet, J. Wouter Jukema, ...Erica Maffei, Lucia J. Kroft, Alessandro Palumbo, Diego Ardissino, Patrick W. Serruys, Gabriel P. Krestin, Ernst E. Van der Wall, Pim J. de Feyter, Jeroen J. Bax The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice multislice computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography in the follow-up of patients with previous coronary stent implantation. In 182 patients with 192 previously implanted stents, 64-slice MSCT angiography was performed in addition to quantitative coronary angiography to evaluate the presence of in-stent restenosis (≥50%). In total, 14 (7.3%) stents were uninterpretable. In the interpretable stents, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value to identify in-stent restenosis were 95.0%, 93.0%, 63.3%, and 99.3%, respectively. Accordingly, 64-slice MSCT may be valuable as a noninvasive method of excluding in-stent restenosis.
Prognostic Value of Multislice Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography in Patients With Known or Suspected Coronary Artery Disease Gabija Pundziute, Joanne D. Schuijf, J. Wouter Jukema, Eric ...Boersma, Albert de Roos, Ernst E. van der Wall, Jeroen J. Bax The goal of the study was to determine the prognostic value of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 100 patients underwent MSCT and were followed up for the occurrence of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring hospitalization, and revascularization. During a mean follow-up of 16 months, 33 events occurred in 26 patients. The first-year event rate in patients with no CAD was 0% versus 30% in patients with CAD. Patients with obstructive lesions (particularly in the left main and left anterior descending coronary arteries) were at greatest risk. The MSCT variables reflecting coronary plaque burden were shown to be independent predictors of events over baseline clinical risk factors.
Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) is commonly acquired before radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) to plan and guide the procedure. MSCT allows accurate ...measurement of the left atrial (LA) and pulmonary vein (PV) dimensions and classification of the PV anatomy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of LA dimensions, PV dimensions, and PV anatomy on the outcome of circumferential RFCA for AF. A total of 100 consecutive patients undergoing RFCA for AF (paroxysmal 72%, persistent 28%) were studied. The LA dimensions, PV dimensions, and PV anatomy were evaluated three dimensionally using MSCT. The PV anatomy was classified as normal or atypical according to the absence/presence of a common trunk or additional veins. After a mean follow-up of 11.6 ± 2.8 months, 65 patients (65%) maintained sinus rhythm. The enlargement of the left atrium in the anteroposterior direction on MSCT was related to a greater risk of AF recurrence. No relation was found between the PV dimensions and the outcome of RFCA. In addition, normal right-sided PV anatomy was related to a greater risk of AF recurrence compared to atypical right-sided PV anatomy. Multivariate analysis showed that an anteroposterior LA diameter on MSCT (odds ratio 1.083, p = 0.027) and normal right-sided PV anatomy (odds ratio 6.711, p = 0.006) were independent predictors of AF recurrence after RFCA. In conclusion, enlargement of the anteroposterior LA diameter and the presence of normal anatomy of the right PVs are independent risk factors for AF recurrence. No relation was found between the PV dimensions and outcome of RFCA.
Coronary computed tomographic angiography allows direct evaluation of the vessel wall and thus positive remodeling, which is a marker of vulnerability. The purpose of this study was to assess the ...association between positive remodeling on computed tomography angiogram (CTA) and vulnerable plaque characteristics on virtual histologic intravascular ultrasound (VH IVUS) images. Forty-five patients (78% men, 58 ± 11 years old) underwent computed tomographic angiography followed by VH IVUS. On CTA, the remodeling index was determined for each lesion by a blinded observer using quantitative analysis. Positive remodeling was defined based on a remodeling index ≥1.0. Percent necrotic core and presence of thin-capped fibroatheroma (TCFA) were used as markers for plaque vulnerability on VH IVUS images. Ninety-nine atherosclerotic plaques were evaluated, of which 37 lesions (37.4%) were identified as having positive remodeling on CTA. Higher levels of plaque vulnerability were identified in lesions with positive remodeling compared to lesions without positive remodeling. Percent necrotic core was significantly higher in lesions with positive remodeling (15.7 ± 7.8%) compared to lesions without this characteristic (10.2 ± 7.2%, p <0.001). Furthermore, significantly more TCFA lesions were identified in positively remodeled lesions (n = 16, 43.2%) than in lesions without positive remodeling (n = 3, 4.8%, p <0.001). In conclusion, lesions with positive remodeling on CTA are associated with increased levels of plaque vulnerability on VH IVUS images including a higher percent necrotic core and a higher prevalence of TCFA. Thus evaluation of remodeling on CTA may provide a valuable marker for plaque vulnerability.
Objectives The purpose of the present study was to assess the anatomy and geometry of the mitral valve by using 64-slice multislice computed tomography (MSCT). Background Because it yields detailed ...anatomic information, MSCT may provide more insight into the underlying mechanisms of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Methods In 151 patients, including 67 patients with heart failure (HF) and 29 patients with moderate to severe FMR, 64-slice MSCT coronary angiography was performed. The anatomy of the subvalvular apparatus of the mitral valve was assessed; mitral valve geometry, comprising the mitral valve tenting height and leaflet tethering, was evaluated at the anterolateral, central, and posteromedial levels. Results In the majority of patients, the anatomy of the subvalvular apparatus was highly variable because of multiple anatomic variations in the posterior papillary muscle (PM): the anterior PM had a single insertion, whereas the posterior PM showed multiple heads and insertions (n = 114; 83%). The assessment of mitral valve geometry demonstrated that patients with HF with moderate to severe FMR had significantly increased posterior leaflet angles and mitral valve tenting heights at the central (44.4° ± 11.9° vs. 37.1° ± 9.0°, p = 0.008; 6.6 ± 1.4 mm/m2 vs. 5.3 ± 1.3 mm/m2 , p < 0.0001, respectively) and posteromedial levels (35.9° ± 10.6° vs. 26.8° ± 10.1°, p = 0.04; 5.4 ± 1.6 mm/m2 vs. 4.1 ± 1.2 mm/m2 , p < 0.0001, respectively), as compared with patients with HF without FMR. In addition, a more outward displacement of the PMs, reflected by a higher mitral valve sphericity index, was observed in patients with HF with FMR (1.4 ± 0.3 vs. 1.2 ± 0.3, p = 0.004). Mitral valve tenting height at the central level and mitral valve sphericity index were the strongest determinants of FMR severity. Conclusions MSCT provides anatomic and geometric information on the mitral valve apparatus. In patients with HF with moderate to severe FMR, a more pronounced tethering of the mitral leaflets at the central and posteromedial levels was demonstrated using MSCT.
Head-to-Head Comparison of Coronary Plaque Evaluation Between Multislice Computed Tomography and Intravascular Ultrasound Radiofrequency Data Analysis Gabija Pundziute, Joanne D. Schuijf, J. Wouter ...Jukema, Isabel Decramer, Giovanna Sarno, Piet K. Vanhoenacker, Johannes H. C. Reiber, Martin J. Schalij, William Wijns, Jeroen J. Bax The aim of the study was to perform a head-to-head comparison of coronary plaque observations with 64-slice multislice computed tomography (MSCT) (calcium score and coronary angiography) to virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH IVUS). In total, 168 plaques in 50 patients were evaluated by both techniques. A moderate correlation was observed between the Agatston score on MSCT and calcium volume on VH IVUS. Noncalcified plaques on MSCT contained more fibrotic and fibro-fatty tissues on VH IVUS as compared with calcified plaques, whereas mixed (noncalcified and calcified components within the same plaque) and calcified plaques contained more dense calcium. Mixed plaques on MSCT were associated with high-risk features on VH IVUS.
Accurate aortic root measurements and evaluation of spatial relationships with coronary ostia are crucial in preoperative transcatheter aortic valve implantation assessments. Standardization of ...measurements may increase intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility to promote procedural success rate and reduce the frequency of procedurally related complications. This study evaluated the accuracy and reproducibility of a novel automated multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) imaging postprocessing software, 3mensio Valves (version 4.1.sp1, Medical Imaging BV, Bilthoven, The Netherlands), in the assessment of patients with severe aortic stenosis candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
Ninety patients with aortic valve disease were evaluated with 64-row and 320-row MDCT. Aortic valve annular size, aortic root dimensions, and height of the coronary ostia relative to the aortic valve annular plane were measured with the 3mensio Valves software. The measurements were compared with those obtained manually by the Vitrea2 software (Vital Images, Minneapolis, MN).
Assessment of aortic valve annulus and aortic root dimensions were feasible in all the patients using the automated 3mensio Valves software. There were excellent agreements with minimal bias between automated and manual MDCT measurements as demonstrated by Bland-Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.97 to 0.99. The automated 3mensio Valves software had better interobserver reproducibility and required less image postprocessing time than manual assessment.
Novel automated MDCT postprocessing imaging software (3mensio Valves) permits reliable, reproducible, and automated assessments of the aortic root dimensions and spatial relations with the surrounding structures. This has important clinical implications for preoperative assessments of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
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