Evaluation of coronary artery in-stent restenosis by 64-section computed tomography: factors affecting assessment and accurate diagnosis

To determine factors affecting the ability of 64-multislice computed tomography (MSCT) to detect, assess, and accurately diagnose significant coronary arterial in-stent restenosis (ISR).

The institutional review board approved this study and waived informed consent. Sixty patients underwent CT coronary angiography using 64-MSCT, after implantation of coronary artery stents (n=91). We assessed diagnostic accuracy for ISR with CT in comparison with conventional coronary angiography as the gold standard, visually and with measurement of in-stent coronary lumen density. Possible factors that influenced the diagnostic performance of CT were evaluated, which included image quality (IQ), stent characteristics, and location.

Sixty-nine stents (75.8%) were assessable. Low IQ, location in the left circumflex coronary artery, and narrow stent diameter were associated with poor assessment (P<0.05). In stents that could be assessed, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 64-MSCT were 90.0%, 73.5%, 58.1%, and 94.7%, respectively, for significant ISR. The diagnostic accuracy in assessable stents showed a significant increase with better IQ, thinner strut thickness, and nondrug eluting stent. False-positive diagnoses of ISR by CT were explained by coronary lumen density measurements.

Evaluation of stents by 64-MSCT is not recommended in stents with diameters of < or = 2.75 mm or stents located at the left circumflex coronary artery. The diagnostic accuracy of 64-MSCT is affected by IQ and strut thickness in assessable stents. Significant ISR can be excluded with high reliability in selected patients.