Progression and regression of atherosclerotic findings in the descending thoracic aorta detected by enhanced computed tomography

Extent of Thoracic Aortic Atheroma Burden and Long-Term Mortality After Cardiothoracic Surgery

“…Although our data do not provide definitive evidence, it suggests a relationship to the systemic atherosclerotic disease process and, therefore, has important implications for secondary prevention in post-operative rehabilitation programs. In this context of secondary prevention, it is interesting that previous MDCTA and magnetic resonance imaging studies have shown the potential reversibility of thoracic aortic plaque progression by aggressive risk-factor modification (20,21). Study limitations.…”

Utility of triple channel injection of contrast material with mixture of saline, with acquisition in the cephalic direction for arterial trees in the thorax using multislice computed tomography

“…With the new protocol, the ascending aorta and major branches could be observed easily without artifact reduction and it was possible to construct three-dimensional volume-rendered images of the arterial trees clearly by eliminating the brachiocephalic vein, the subclavian vein, and the superior vena cava. Until now, various CTs such as electron beam tomography (EBT) [5][6][7], single helical CT [8], 4, or 8-slice MSCT [9,10] have been used to evaluate the thoracic aorta. As image quality of Valsalva sinus and ascending aorta is impaired by cardiac pulsation, ECG-gated acquisition is preferable [ heart beats time to acquire the whole thoracic aorta; therefore, it is difficult to complete the acquisition within the time of one breath hold [11,12].…”

Diagnostic Imaging of Thoracic Aortic Atherosclerosis

“…Unlike coronary artery imaging, the larger-sized aorta lends itself to easier quantification of noncalcified plaque, particularly with contrast-enhanced CT. This approach has been proposed as a valuable noninvasive method for following the progression and regression of atherosclerotic disease [48,49].…”