A novel method for non-invasive plaque morphology analysis by coronary computed tomography angiography.

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) plaque morphology based on conventional Hounsfield units relies on absolute CT numbers is influenced by imaging and anatomical variables. The project describes and tests a novel alternative method, termed the "labeling method", which uses relative CT numbers and 3-dimensional plaque structure. Using virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) as the reference standard, this study compares the labeling method to a conventional CT-number based method to determine coronary plaque morphology.

Relationship between coronary artery wall thickness measured by 64-slice multidetector computed tomography and cardiovascular risk factors.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated the quantitative ability of contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) to evaluate not only the vessel lumen but also coronary plaque. The aim of this study was to assess the association between coronary wall thickness quantified by 64-slice MDCT and cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods And Results: A total of 149 subjects with suspected coronary artery disease were scanned by contrast-enhanced 64-slice MDCT.

Localized dissection of the sinus of valsalva without coronary artery involvement during percutaneous coronary intervention.

Dissection of the sinus of Valsalva is an extremely rare accident during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but it can lead to serious complications such as dissection of the ascending aorta. We experienced a localized dissection of the right coronary cusp without coronary artery involvement that was induced by a guiding catheter during PCI in a patient with acute myocardial infarction. The localized dissection showed pooling of the contrast medium in the acute phase, but it subsided spontaneously after 12 days without any sequelae.

Circulating oxidized low-density lipoprotein is an independent predictor for cardiac event in patients with coronary artery disease.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) plays a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis, however, the predictive value of circulating oxLDL for cardiac events (CE) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) has remained poorly understood. We prospectively studied 238 consecutive patients with documented CAD for up to 52 months until the occurrence of one of the following cardiac events: cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), and refractory angina requiring revascularization. The plasma levels of oxLDL were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the monoclonal antibody, DLH3.