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Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
Positive remodelling of coronary arteries on computed tomography coronary angiogram: an observational study
May Khei Hu1, Mengshi Yuan1, Sunil James1
1Department of Cardiology, Birmingham City Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Insights
Positive remodeling on computed tomography coronary angiogram (CTCA) indicates higher risk for acute coronary syndrome and need for revascularization. Early detection of this plaque feature aids in aggressive cardiovascular event prevention.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading global cause of mortality, affecting millions in the UK.
- A significant portion of CAD patients remain asymptomatic, highlighting the need for advanced diagnostic tools.
- Atherosclerosis remains a primary driver of CAD, necessitating continuous research into its progression and detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients exhibiting positive remodeling (PR) on CTCA.
- To assess the outcomes associated with PR in patients undergoing CTCA.
- To determine the prognostic value of PR detected via CTCA.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 861 patients referred for CTCA between June 2018 and January 2020.
- Utilized prospective, gated 128-slice dual-source CTCA for image acquisition.
- Compared demographic data and clinical outcomes between patients with and without PR.
Main Results:
- 241 patients (28%) demonstrated PR, who were older, more likely male, and underwent coronary angiography more frequently.
- Patients with PR showed significantly higher rates of subsequent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) events.
- A notable increase in the need for revascularization therapy was observed in patients with PR.
- No significant difference in all-cause mortality was found between groups.
Conclusions:
- Positive remodeling (PR) on CTCA serves as a reliable prognostic indicator for future cardiovascular events.
- Identifying PR offers a critical window for initiating aggressive primary prevention strategies.
- CTCA imaging plays a vital role in risk stratification for CAD patients.
Background:
Coronary artery disease (CAD) due to atherosclerosis is projected to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide until 2040. CAD affects approximately 2.6 million people in the United Kingdom (UK), and 1 in 4 of them do not experience any symptoms.
Aims:
The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics and outcomes of patients with plaque features of positive remodelling (PR) on their computed tomography coronary angiogram (CTCA) images.
Methods:
Patients who were referred for CTCA from June 2018 to January 2020 were retrospectively identified. Patients underwent prospective, gated 128-slice dual-source CTCA. Patients with PR were compared to those without PR for demographics and outcomes.
Results:
A total of 861 patients were included in our study; 241 (28%) had PR, and 620 (72%) had no PR. Patients with PR were older (PR: 63.9±11.0 years vs no PR: 62.1±11.2 years; p=0.04), more likely to be male (PR: 65.6% vs no PR: 55.8%; p=0.01) and underwent coronary angiography more frequently (PR: 25.7% vs no PR: 14.4%; p<0.01). There were also significant increases in subsequent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) events (PR: 2.5% vs no PR: 0.0%; p<0.01) and the need for revascularisation therapy (PR: 15.4% vs no PR: 7.8%; p<0.01) in patients with PR despite being on statins (not a high dose). There was no difference in all-cause mortality.
Conclusions:
Detection of PR on CTCA is a reliable prognostic indicator of future cardiovascular events and presents a valuable opportunity for initiation of aggressive primary prevention therapy.
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