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Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
A diagnostic pitfall of CT calcium scoring in paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient severe aortic stenosis with
Jun Yoshida1, Toraaki Okuyama1, Hiromasa Yamamoto1
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
Insights
Computed tomography (CT) calcium scoring may underestimate severe aortic stenosis (AS) in rheumatic heart disease. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) offers a reliable alternative for assessing AS severity when CT findings are discordant.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Imaging
- Valvular Heart Disease
Background:
- Computed tomography (CT) calcium scoring is a standard tool for assessing severe aortic stenosis (AS), particularly in paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient (LFLG) cases.
- However, the accuracy of CT calcium scoring in rheumatic heart disease is questionable due to differing calcification patterns.
Background:
Computed tomography (CT) calcium scoring is used to adjudicate paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient (LFLG) severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, its reliability may be limited in rheumatic disease.
Case Summary:
An 82-year-old woman with prior mitral valve replacement for rheumatic mitral stenosis was referred for AS. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed an aortic valve area (AVA) of 0.50 cm2, mean pressure gradient of 27 mmHg, stroke volume index of 30 mL/m2, and preserved systolic function, suggesting paradoxical LFLG severe AS. The CT calcium score was 889 Agatston units, below the female threshold for severe AS. Three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) demonstrated commissural fusion, leaflet tip thickening, and planimetry-derived AVA of 0.69 cm2, confirming severe AS. The patient underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation, with 6-min walk distance improving from 150 to 254 m.
Discussion:
In rheumatic morphology, low CT calcium burden may not exclude severe AS because obstruction may be driven by commissural fusion and fibrosis rather than bulky calcification. Three-dimensional TEE planimetry can serve as an anatomy-based adjudicator when echocardiographic and CT calcium findings are discordant.
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Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
