학술논문
Automatic Quantification of Local Plaque Thickness Differences as Assessed by Serial Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Using Scan-Quality-Based Vessel-Specific Thresholds.
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
van Driest FY; Department of Cardiology, Leiden Heart-Lung Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.; Broersen A; Department of Radiology, Division of Image Processing, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.; van der Geest RJ; Department of Radiology, Division of Image Processing, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.; Wouter Jukema J; Department of Cardiology, Leiden Heart-Lung Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.; Scholte AJHA; Department of Cardiology, Leiden Heart-Lung Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.; Dijkstra J; Department of Radiology, Division of Image Processing, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands. j.dijkstra@lumc.nl.
Source
Publisher: Springer Healthcare Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101634495 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 2193-8261 (Print) Linking ISSN: 21936544 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Cardiol Ther Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2193-8261
Abstract
Introduction: The use of serial coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) allows for the early assessment of coronary plaque progression, a crucial factor in averting major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Traditionally, serial CCTA is assessed using anatomical landmarks to match baseline and follow-up scans. Recently, a tool has been developed that allows for the automatic quantification of local plaque thickness differences in serial CCTA utilizing plaque contour delineation. The aim of this study was to determine thresholds of plaque thickness differences that define whether there is plaque progression and/or regression. These thresholds depend on the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR).
Methods: Plaque thickness differences between two scans acquired at the same moment in time should always be zero. The negative and positive differences in plaque contour delineation in these scans were used along with the CNR in order to create calibration graphs on which a linear regression analysis was performed. This analysis was conducted on a cohort of 50 patients referred for a CCTA due to chest complaints. A total of 300 coronary vessels were analyzed. First, plaque contours were semi-automatically determined for all major epicardial coronary vessels. Second, manual drawings of seven regions of interest (ROIs) per scan were used to quantify the scan quality based on the CNR for each vessel.
Results: A linear regression analysis was performed on the CNR and negative and positive plaque contour delineation differences. Accounting for the standard error of the estimate, the linear regression analysis revealed that above 1.009 - 0.002 × CNR there is an increase in plaque thickness (progression), and below - 1.638 + 0.012 × CNR there is a decrease in plaque thickness (regression).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility of developing vessel-specific, quality-based thresholds for visualizing local plaque thickness differences evaluated by serial CCTA. These thresholds have the potential to facilitate the early detection of atherosclerosis progression.
(© 2023. The Author(s).)
Methods: Plaque thickness differences between two scans acquired at the same moment in time should always be zero. The negative and positive differences in plaque contour delineation in these scans were used along with the CNR in order to create calibration graphs on which a linear regression analysis was performed. This analysis was conducted on a cohort of 50 patients referred for a CCTA due to chest complaints. A total of 300 coronary vessels were analyzed. First, plaque contours were semi-automatically determined for all major epicardial coronary vessels. Second, manual drawings of seven regions of interest (ROIs) per scan were used to quantify the scan quality based on the CNR for each vessel.
Results: A linear regression analysis was performed on the CNR and negative and positive plaque contour delineation differences. Accounting for the standard error of the estimate, the linear regression analysis revealed that above 1.009 - 0.002 × CNR there is an increase in plaque thickness (progression), and below - 1.638 + 0.012 × CNR there is a decrease in plaque thickness (regression).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility of developing vessel-specific, quality-based thresholds for visualizing local plaque thickness differences evaluated by serial CCTA. These thresholds have the potential to facilitate the early detection of atherosclerosis progression.
(© 2023. The Author(s).)