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Coronary plaque imaging and characterization by CT

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Abstract

Multi-slice spiral CT (MDCT) is a noninvasive modality for visualization and evaluation of atherosclerosis in vivo in different arterial beds. Rapid technical advances led to a significant improvement of the diagnostic accuracy of coronary MDCT angiography. The most popular clinical application of MDCT with the best scientific evidence is the noninvasive detection and quantification of coronary calcifications. In particular, the concept of coronary age by evaluating an individual’s biological age (rather than chronological age) is attractive and currently under scientific evaluation. Additionally, when evaluating contrast-enhanced coronary arteries, different stages of atherosclerosis can be visualized. It could be shown by comparative studies with intracoronary ultrasound that echogenicity corresponds well with the density measured within atherosclerotic plaques expressed in Hounsfield units using MDCT. Continuously improving and still under development, the potential of MDCT to evaluate plaque composition and plaque volumes noninvasively in vivo is promising.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Klinik am Eichert, Eichertstrasse 3, 73035, Göppingen, Germany

    Stephen Schroeder

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  1. Stephen Schroeder
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  2. Christof Burgstahler
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Correspondence to Stephen Schroeder.

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Schroeder, S., Burgstahler, C. Coronary plaque imaging and characterization by CT. curr cardiovasc imaging rep 1, 112–118 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12410-008-0017-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12410-008-0017-y

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