Evaluation by Multislice Computed Tomography of Atherosclerotic Coronary Artery Plaques in Non-Culprit, Remote Coronary Arteries of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Atherosclerotic Plaque Characterization by 0.5-mm-Slice Multislice Computed Tomographic Imaging Comparison With Intravascular Ultrasound

“…Kunimasa et al reported that the mean plaque CT density of IVUS-defined soft plaque was 33.7±16.9 HU and the upper limit of the CT density was 67.5 HU. 21 In their study, plaque density was measured using >1 mm 2 of ROI on images acquired by 0.5-mm slice CT. In the present study, a minimum sized ROI was used.…”

Coronary Plaque Stabilization Followed by Color Code PlaqueTM Analysis With 64-Slice Multidetector Row Computed Tomography

“…9 However, it is impossible for CT or IVUS to evaluate the latter, whereas MDCT can precisely detect the lipid pool and measure the CT values of the plaque. [3][4][5][6] On gray-scale MDCT images, the measurement of plaque CT values surrounded by a region of interest is commonly performed for evaluation of plaque morphology. Komatsu et al reported a method of evaluating plaque morphology with 8-slice MDCT, called 'Plaque map', which measures the CT numbers of the included plaque for each pixel at each cross-sectional vessel and codes them using 14 color ranges.…”

Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography Optimization of Image Reconstruction Phase According to the Heart Rate

“…In patients with lower heart rates (HRs), some researchers recommend image reconstruction in the slow filling period, [1][2][3][4] and adequate image quality for evaluation of stenoses and plaques can be obtained. [5][6][7] A similar phenomenon of better image quality for clinical use occurs in patients with lower HRs or those using -blockers. 8 However, -blockers are contraindicated in cases of congestive heart failure, atrioventricular block, or bronchial asthma, and the adverse reactions of contrast media can be severe in those using -blockers.…”

“…When the coronary arteries were calcified or stented, a higher window center (500-650 HU) and greater width (1,100-1,400 HU) were also used. 5 Using a 5-point grading scale, 2 board-certified radiologists who were unaware of the patients' clinical histories, evaluated the images and scored each of the 7 portions of the coronary arteries in terms of continuity and visibility of the vascular lumen as follows: 4= Excellent image quality without any discontinuity or vague borders of the vessel; 3= Good image quality with 1 discontinuity or 1 vague border of the vessel; 2= Fair image quality with 1 discontinuity and 1 vague border of the vessel; 1= Poor image quality with more than 2 discontinuity or more than 2 vague borders of the vessel; 0: Very poor image quality with more than 2 discontinuity and more than 2 vague borders of the…”