Aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries assessed with 16-detector row CT angiography: prospective comparison with digital subtraction angiography.

Purpose: To prospectively compare the accuracy of 16-detector row computed tomographic (CT) angiography with conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard in the assessment of aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Materials And Methods: This study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained. A total of 39 consecutive patients (27 men [mean age, 66 years] and 12 women [mean age, 64 years]) with peripheral arterial disease underwent both conventional DSA and 16-detector row CT angiography.

Chlamydia pneumoniae decreases smooth muscle cell proliferation through induction of prostaglandin E2 synthesis.

Chlamydia pneumoniae may modulate the proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMC) in atherosclerotic plaques. Conditioned medium from C. pneumoniae-infected SMC decreased the proliferation of uninfected SMC.