[Value of multi-slice computed tomography in diagnosis of coronary plaque characterization].

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the value of multi-slice computed tomography in diagnosis of different types of coronary atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS:Twenty-eight patients undergoing CT angiography (CTA) with normal coronary arteries were randomly selected to measure the CT values of different sections of the 4 main branches of coronary artery. Twenty-five specimens of human heart from the bodies of the patients who died of non-cardiogenic diseases were scanned by 16-slice CT scanner and 64-slice CT scanner: a mixture of CT contrast media and normal saline was injected into the coronary arteries to achieve in-vivo-like contrast enhancement within the coronary artery lumen to detect atherosclerotic plaques. The CT values of plaques were measured in several regions of interest (ROI) selected in each plaque. The CT images thus obtained were evaluated by 2 experienced radiologists. There are nine specimens with coronary atherosclerotic plaques among them. Then the atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary were made into tissue specimens to undergo pathological examination. RESULTS:7560 CT values were obtained from the 28 patients. Thirty-eight atherosclerotic plaques were found by CAT in 9 heart specimens and confirmed by pathology. When the CT value of coronary lumen was 370 HU, the predominant lipid-rich plaque showed a mean CT value of 53 +/- 12 HU; the fibrous-rich plaque showed a mean CT value of 106 +/- 17 HU; and the calcified plaque showed a mean CT value of 429 +/- 94 HU measured by 16-slice CT; and the predominant lipid-rich plaque showed a mean CT value of 51 +/- 13 HU; the fibrous-rich plaque showed a mean CT value of 110 +/- 19 HU; and the calcified plaque showed a mean CT value of 435 +/- 87 HU measured by 64-slice CT. The CT value of the fibrous-rich plaque was significantly higher than that of the lipid-rich plaque (P = 0.008), and lower than that of the calcified plaque (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the results obtained by the two kinds of CT scanners. CONCLUSION:CTA can non-invasively assess the atherosclerotic plaques.