Beyond Coronary Stenosis: Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography for the Assessment of Atherosclerotic Plaque Burden

Alan C. Kwan; George Cater; Jose Vargas; David A. Bluemke

doi:10.1007/s12410-012-9183-z

Beyond Coronary Stenosis: Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography for the Assessment of Atherosclerotic Plaque Burden

Alan C. Kwan, George Cater, Jose Vargas, David A. Bluemke

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is emerging as a key noninvasive method for assessing cardiovascular risk by measurement of coronary stenosis and coronary artery calcium (CAC). New advancements in CCTA technology have led to the ability to directly identify and quantify the so-called "vulnerable" plaques that have features of positive remodeling and low density components. In addition, CCTA presents a new opportunity for noninvasive measurement of total coronary plaque burden that has not previously been available. The use of CCTA needs also to be balanced by its risks; in particular, the associated radiation exposure. We review current uses of CCTA, CCTA's ability to measure plaque quantity and characteristics, and new developments in risk stratification and CCTA technology. CCTA represents a quickly developing field that will play a growing role in the non-invasive management of cardiovascular disease.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	89-101
Number of pages	13
Journal	Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports
Volume	6
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s12410-012-9183-z
State	Published - Apr 2013
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Acute coronary syndrome
Atherosclerosis
CT
Coronary artery calcium
Coronary computed tomographic angiography
Non-calcified
Plaque
Reconstruction
Spotty calcification
Vulnerable plaque

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Histology
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Cell Biology

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10.1007/s12410-012-9183-z

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title = "Beyond Coronary Stenosis: Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography for the Assessment of Atherosclerotic Plaque Burden",

abstract = "Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is emerging as a key noninvasive method for assessing cardiovascular risk by measurement of coronary stenosis and coronary artery calcium (CAC). New advancements in CCTA technology have led to the ability to directly identify and quantify the so-called {"}vulnerable{"} plaques that have features of positive remodeling and low density components. In addition, CCTA presents a new opportunity for noninvasive measurement of total coronary plaque burden that has not previously been available. The use of CCTA needs also to be balanced by its risks; in particular, the associated radiation exposure. We review current uses of CCTA, CCTA's ability to measure plaque quantity and characteristics, and new developments in risk stratification and CCTA technology. CCTA represents a quickly developing field that will play a growing role in the non-invasive management of cardiovascular disease.",

keywords = "Acute coronary syndrome, Atherosclerosis, CT, Coronary artery calcium, Coronary computed tomographic angiography, Non-calcified, Plaque, Reconstruction, Spotty calcification, Vulnerable plaque",

author = "Kwan, {Alan C.} and George Cater and Jose Vargas and Bluemke, {David A.}",

note = "Funding Information: This research was made possible through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medical Research Scholars Program, a public-private partnership supported jointly by the NIH and generous contributions to the Foundation for the NIH from Pfizer Inc, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, as well as other private donors. For a complete list, please visit the Foundation website at http://www.fnih.org/work/programs-development/medical-research-scholars-program).",

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doi = "10.1007/s12410-012-9183-z",

language = "English (US)",

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AU - Cater, George

AU - Vargas, Jose

AU - Bluemke, David A.

N1 - Funding Information: This research was made possible through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medical Research Scholars Program, a public-private partnership supported jointly by the NIH and generous contributions to the Foundation for the NIH from Pfizer Inc, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, as well as other private donors. For a complete list, please visit the Foundation website at http://www.fnih.org/work/programs-development/medical-research-scholars-program).

PY - 2013/4

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N2 - Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is emerging as a key noninvasive method for assessing cardiovascular risk by measurement of coronary stenosis and coronary artery calcium (CAC). New advancements in CCTA technology have led to the ability to directly identify and quantify the so-called "vulnerable" plaques that have features of positive remodeling and low density components. In addition, CCTA presents a new opportunity for noninvasive measurement of total coronary plaque burden that has not previously been available. The use of CCTA needs also to be balanced by its risks; in particular, the associated radiation exposure. We review current uses of CCTA, CCTA's ability to measure plaque quantity and characteristics, and new developments in risk stratification and CCTA technology. CCTA represents a quickly developing field that will play a growing role in the non-invasive management of cardiovascular disease.

AB - Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is emerging as a key noninvasive method for assessing cardiovascular risk by measurement of coronary stenosis and coronary artery calcium (CAC). New advancements in CCTA technology have led to the ability to directly identify and quantify the so-called "vulnerable" plaques that have features of positive remodeling and low density components. In addition, CCTA presents a new opportunity for noninvasive measurement of total coronary plaque burden that has not previously been available. The use of CCTA needs also to be balanced by its risks; in particular, the associated radiation exposure. We review current uses of CCTA, CCTA's ability to measure plaque quantity and characteristics, and new developments in risk stratification and CCTA technology. CCTA represents a quickly developing field that will play a growing role in the non-invasive management of cardiovascular disease.

KW - Acute coronary syndrome

KW - Atherosclerosis

KW - CT

KW - Coronary artery calcium

KW - Coronary computed tomographic angiography

KW - Non-calcified

KW - Plaque

KW - Reconstruction

KW - Spotty calcification

KW - Vulnerable plaque

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Beyond Coronary Stenosis: Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography for the Assessment of Atherosclerotic Plaque Burden

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ASJC Scopus subject areas

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