使用320排CT评价冠状动脉钙化斑块狭窄程度的准确性

目的:研究使用320排容积CT评价冠状动脉钙化斑块造成管腔狭窄的精确程度。方法:搜集320排冠状动脉CTA的受检者200例,均有中度以上狭窄程度的钙化斑块,并近期进行过冠状动脉造影检查(CAG),根据钙化斑块的平均CT值及斑块面积占管腔百分比程度进行分组,A组平均CT值120Hu-400Hu、B组400-500Hu、C组500Hu以上,三组内又根据钙化斑块占管腔的面积百分比分为1、2两个亚组。使用测量软件对钙化部位狭窄程度进行测量并与冠状动脉造影进行对比。结果:A、B、C三组中第1亚组高估程度分别为21.4±8.7%、23.1±7.7%、23.9±9.8%,第2亚组高估程度分别为30.1±13.4%、32.5±15.4%、33.5±16.4%。每组的三个亚组中,随着钙化斑块平均CT值的增高,高估程度略有增高,而同组中两个亚组间的比较,高估程度明显增高。结论:320排冠状动脉CTA钙化平均CT值对管腔的遮盖程度有影响,促使CTA高估了管腔的狭窄程度,两者呈正比相关。但影响程度不如钙化占管腔面积百分比明显。     

宝石能谱CT 冠脉成像在隐匿型冠心病冠状动脉粥样斑块性质判断中的价值

目的:探讨宝石能谱CT冠脉成像在隐匿型冠心病冠状动脉粥样斑块性质判断中的价值,为临床隐匿型冠心病的诊断和治疗提供影像学参考依据。方法:选择2014年6月~2015年6月在我院诊断为心肌缺血且无临床症状的隐匿型冠心病患者共360例,所有入选患者均行宝石能谱CT冠脉成像检查,其中155例有冠状动脉狭窄,且伴有不同性质的粥样斑块。分析冠状动脉不同血管狭窄情况、斑块分型和斑块数目。结果:所有冠脉动脉狭窄均为轻度狭窄和中度狭窄,主要集中在左主干和左前降支,分别占35.48%和37.42%。硬斑块数目最多,占75.43%,其次为混合斑块和软斑块,分别占16.19%和8.38%。冠状动脉4支血管粥样斑块均为硬斑块者最多(29.03%)、硬斑块与软斑块同时存在者占29.03%、硬斑块与软斑块、混合斑块同时存在者占14.84%,未见单纯混合斑块或软斑块的患者。结论:隐匿型冠心病患者冠状动脉狭窄主要为轻、中度狭窄,冠状动脉斑块以硬斑块为主。宝石能谱CT冠脉成像能准确的判断隐匿型冠心病冠状动脉粥样斑块性质,值得临床推广借鉴。     

冠脉护理在320排螺旋CT冠状动脉造影中提高图像质量的作用

目的：探讨320排螺旋CT心脏冠状动脉护理的作用及其临床意义。方法：2009年11月至2010年3月,于我院行心脏检查1024例行320排螺旋CT冠状动脉造影检查的患者,检查前对每一患者进行心理辅导,减轻紧张情绪;进行心率控制、屏气训练等护理措施准备;在扫描过程中配合影像技师使用高压注射器;检查完成后积极与患者交谈,严密观察患者状态,预防造影剂不良反应的发生。结果：受检患者中987例患者顺利完成检查,图像重建后血管显示效果优;16例血管显示良;有1例患者造影剂未全部进入血管内,导致血管显影不充分。有2例出现轻度过敏反应;无空气栓塞或任何心脑血管意外的发生。受检病例中432例同时进行了冠状动脉造影,98%（425/432）与检查结果完全一致,有2%（8/432）与检查结果有轻度误差。结论：检查前细致的护理对提高心脏冠状动脉血管成像成功率、提高至关重要。     

超声造影技术评价颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的临床研究

目的:探讨超声造影技术评价颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的临床价值,为动脉粥样硬化诊断准确性提供参考。方法:根据实时超声造影检查的回声图像特点将该院53例(59个斑块)颈动脉粥样硬化斑块患者分为软斑组(24个)、混合斑组(18个)、硬斑组(17个),比较3组的造影增强率、造影增强程度分级,并对各类型斑块的时间-强度进行定量分析。结果:59个斑块中有40个呈现不同程度的增强,增强率为67.80%,其中软斑组、混合斑组、硬斑组超声增强率分别为87.50%、72.22%、35.29%,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);造影增强程度Ⅰ级和Ⅲ级在三组间差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),其中硬斑组造影增强程度Ⅰ级个数较软斑组和混合斑组多,软斑组造影增强程度Ⅲ级个数较混合斑组和硬斑组多,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);软斑组达峰时间、平均渡越时间均低于混合斑组和硬斑组,斑块峰值强度高于混合斑组和硬斑组,混合斑组达峰时间、平均渡越时间均低于硬斑组,斑块峰值强度高于硬斑组,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:超声造影技术可无创性地通过造影增强实时反映出颈动脉粥样硬化斑块内的新生血管情况,提供参数成像与定量分析,正确评价斑块的稳定性。     

任意段血管狭窄对血液流动影响的数值分析

与血管腔变形有关的变态的血动力在血管病灶损伤的发病机制中起着重要的作用。在动脉血流当作准定常假设下，本文对若干个正弦曲线型狭窄的动脉模式的血流特性进行了研究，利用数值方法求解了动量积分议程，获得了管壁剪应力分布及压力降，这些结果可用来分析动脉血管多段狭窄对血液流动的影响以及某些血管粥样硬化损伤的机制。     

IL-18、IL-10及其比值与冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块易损性研究进展

急性冠脉综合征主要是由于具有易损性的冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块发生破裂或蚀损,继发血栓形成,并引起具有严重危害的急性冠状动脉事件.炎症反应是影响冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块易损性的主要因素,参与反应的炎症因子是近年来研究的热点.有研究发现白细胞介素-18(IL-18)作为一个促炎症因子,会增加斑块的易损性,而白细胞介素-10(IL-10)作为主要的抗炎症因子,则具有抗动脉硬化及稳定粥样斑块的作用.IL-18/IL-10的比值代表了机体促炎性与抗炎性动态平衡的状态,其比值失衡可能是影响斑块易损性的重要因素.近来有研究认为,IL-18/IL-10的比值可作为急性冠脉综合征患者近期冠脉事件的预测因子.文章就近几年来有关IL-10、IL-18及其比值与冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块易损性的研究进展作一综述,以探讨其可能的临床意义.     

颈部血管超声检查粥样斑块对预防缺血性脑梗死的意义

目的:探讨颈部血管超声检查粥样斑块对预防缺血性脑梗死的意义。方法:对我院2012年1月-2014年1月收治的40例缺血性脑梗死患者(观察组)进行回顾性分析,并同期选择来我院进行体检的正常志愿者40例(对照组),对两组患者实施颈部血管超声检查,并对比分析血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)和超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平。结果:观察组颈部动脉软斑、扁平斑、溃疡斑检出率显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);两组硬斑检出率比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。观察组颈总动脉内径和颈内动脉颅外段内径显著窄于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。研究组治疗后恢复良好24例,恢复不良16例,恢复良好组治疗前颈动脉中层内膜厚度(IMT)显著低于恢复不良组(P0.05),且两组血清Hcy和hs-CRP比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。恢复良好组治疗后IMT、血清Hcy和hs-CRP显著低于恢复不良组(P0.05)。结论:颈部血管内的粥样斑块与缺血性脑梗死的发生有密切关系,定期对患者颈部血管的粥样斑块进行超声检查对预防缺血性脑梗死具有重要的意义。     

320排CT冠状动脉支架术后再狭窄的应用价值初探

目的:探讨320排CT冠状动脉成像对冠状动脉支架术后再狭窄的应用价值。方法:回顾性分析110例冠状动脉支架术后患者的320排CT资料及冠状动脉造影资料,以常规冠状动脉造影结果作为"金标准"进行对比分析。统计学方法采用Kappa评价方法。结果:200枚支架均显示优良,320排CT能够对支架置入术后的通畅情况、术后血栓形成等情况进行观察及评估。冠状动脉造影示冠状动脉支架内中度以上再狭窄62枚,320排CTA二维、三维图像及仿真内镜正确诊断50枚,漏诊2枚,误诊10枚,320排CTA诊断支架内再狭窄的敏感性96.87%、特异性95.83%、准确度78.50%、阳性预测值91.18%、阴性预测值98.57%,Kappa值的u检验中得到:u=16.2494,存在一致性,Kappa值=0.6920,参照评价原则,320排CTA和冠状动脉造影对支架内狭窄程度评估一致性极好。结论:320排CTA二维、三维图像能很好显示冠状动脉支架术后管腔,对再狭窄部位、性质、程度能够进行准确全面的观察,而且无创、重复性好,对支架术后疗效观察和随访有较高的临床应用价值。     

一氧化氮、血清尾加压素Ⅱ与老年稳定型心绞痛患者冠脉粥样硬化斑块的关系及对功能性心肌缺血的预测

摘要 目的：探讨一氧化氮（NO）、血清尾加压素Ⅱ（UⅡ）与老年稳定型心绞痛患者冠脉粥样硬化斑块的关系及对功能性心肌缺血的预测。方法：选取我院2020年10月到2022年12月收治的120例老年稳定型心绞痛患者作为研究对象,回顾性分析所有患者CT造影诊断结果,依照动脉狭窄程度将患者分为不稳定斑块组（n=35）,稳定斑块组（n=46）和无斑块组（n=39）。对比三组患者NO、UⅡ表达水平,并分析其与老年稳定型心绞痛患者冠脉粥样硬化斑块的相关性。所有患者均采取保守治疗,将治疗后出现功能性心肌缺血的40例患者分为心肌缺血组,将其余80例患者分为非心肌缺血组,对比两组患者临床一般情况和NO、UⅡ,并分析NO、UⅡ对功能性心肌缺血的预测价值。结果：不稳定斑块组NO低于稳定斑块组和无斑块组、UⅡ水平高于稳定斑块组和无斑块组（P＜0.05）,且稳定斑块组与无斑块组对比差异显著（P＜0.05）;Spearman相关分析结果显示：NO、UⅡ与老年稳定型心绞痛患者冠脉粥样硬化斑块稳定程度具有相关性（P<0.05）;心肌缺血组和非心肌缺血组患者性别、年龄、BMI、合并糖尿病、高血压、左心室射血分数、高脂血症情况对比无明显差异（P＞0.05）,心肌缺血组和非心肌缺血组患者心功能分级、合并陈旧性心肌梗死、NO、UⅡ水平对比差异显著（P＜0.05）;最终logistic回归分析结果显示：NO、UⅡ升高是老年稳定型心绞痛患者功能性心肌缺血的独立影响因素（P＜0.05）。结论：NO、UⅡ与老年稳定型心绞痛患者冠脉粥样硬化斑块稳定程度具有明显关系,且通过NO、UⅡ水平可预测患者功能性心肌缺血的发生,因此临床上对于NO、UⅡ升高的老年稳定型心绞痛患者需及时调整治疗措施,进一步预防患者治疗后出现的功能性心肌缺血现象。     

MRI对糖尿病急性脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的评估价值

目的:探讨核磁共振成像(MRI)对急性脑梗死合并糖尿病患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的评估价值。方法:选取2013年5月-2015年5月在我院接受治疗的83例糖尿病合并急性脑梗死患者作为研究组,另选择单纯急性脑梗死患者61例作为对照组。两组患者均采用MRI评估颈动脉血管及斑块稳定性,并分析影响颈动脉斑块稳定性的危险因素。结果:研究组患者颈动脉粥样硬化易损斑块的发生率高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);研究组患者斑块最大厚度明显高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);两组患者血管总面积、血管壁面积、血管腔面积及血管壁标准化指数比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。性别、糖尿病以及饮酒是影响急性脑梗死患者颈动脉斑块稳定性的独立危险因素(P0.05)。结论:MRI能够有效评估急性脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的稳定性,有利于临床诊断以及确定治疗方案,值得推广应用。     

The Association of Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity with Coronary Artery Disease Evaluated by Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography

The aim of this study was to investigate whether brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is associated with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and to evaluate baPWV as a predictor of obstructive CAD on CCTA. A total of 470 patients who underwent both baPWV and CCTA were included. We evaluated stenosis degree and plaque characteristics on CCTA. To estimate the severity of CAD, we calculated the number of segment with plaque (segment involvement score; SIS), stenosis degree-weighted plaque score (segment stenosis score; SSS), and coronary artery calcium score (CACS). The mean baPWV was 1,485 ± 315 cm/s (range, 935-3,175 cm/s). Non-obstructive (stenosis < 50%) and obstructive (stenosis ≥ 50%) CAD was found in 129 patients (27.4%) and 144 (30.6%), respectively. baPWV in patients with obstructive CAD was higher than that of patients with non-obstructive (1,680 ± 396 cm/s versus 1,477 ± 244 cm/s, P < 0.001) or no CAD (1,680 ± 396 cm/s versus ± 196 1,389 cm/s, P < 0.001). baPWV showed significant correlation with SSS (r = 0.429, P < 0.001), SIS (r = 0.395, P < 0.001), CACS (r 0.346, P < 0.001), and the number of segment with non-calcified plaque (r 0.092, P = 0.047), mixed plaque (r = 0.267, P < 0.001), and calcified plaque (r = 0.348, P < 0.001), respectively. The optimal baPWV cut-off value for the detection of obstructive CAD was 1,547 cm/s. baPWV ≥ 1,547 cm/s was independent predictor for the obstructive CAD. In conclusion, baPWV is well correlated with the severity of CAD evaluated by CCTA. baPWV has the potential to predict severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis.     

冠状动脉解剖变异的CTA影像特征分析

目的:分析冠状动脉解剖变异的CT血管造影(computed tomography angiography,CTA)影像特征。方法:回顾分析2010年6月到2014年4月间PACS存储的12326例心脏CTA图像资料,记录解剖变异冠状动脉的名称、开口起源位置、数目、行程状态及终止部位表现及其与毗邻结构的关系。结果:共有700例心脏有冠状动脉解剖变异,以冠状动脉开口起源异常最多见,共622例(622/12326,5.05%),其中左和右冠状动脉开口高位350例(350/12326,2.84%),左和右冠状动脉开口于对侧窦166例(166/12326,1.35%),冠状动脉双开口70例(70/12326,0.57%),左和右冠状动脉开口于窦间36例(36/12326,0.29%);其次为数目异常29例(29/12326,0.24%),包括左、右单支冠状动脉19例(19/12326,0.15%)和冠状动脉分支(LCx)缺如10例(10/12326,0.08%);冠状动脉终止异常(冠脉动脉-动脉圆锥和/或肺动脉瘘)29例(29/12326,0.24%)。VR是显示冠状动脉解剖变异最重要的后处理方法。结论:冠状动脉解剖变异CTA表现复杂多样,心脏CTA能够准确显示冠状动脉解剖变异种类及其毗邻关系。     

Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Detected by Computed Tomographic Angiography in Subjects with Diabetes Compared to Those without Diabetes

Objectives

Little data are available regarding coronary plaque composition and semi-quantitative scores in individuals with diabetes; the extent to which diabetes may affect the presence and extent of Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) needs more evaluation. Considering that this information may be of great value in formulating preventive interventions in this population, we compared these findings in individuals with diabetes to those without.

Methods

Multi-Detector Computed Tomographic (MDCT) images of 861 consecutive patients with diabetes who were referred to Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute from January 2000 to September 2012, were evaluated using a 15–coronary segment model. All 861 patients underwent calcium scoring and from these; 389 had coronary CT angiography (CTA). CAC score was compared to 861 age, sex and ethnicity matched controls without diabetes after adjustment for Body Mass Index (BMI), family history of coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and smoking. Segment Involvement Score (SIS; the total number of segments with any plaque), Segment Stenosis Score (SSS; the sum of maximal stenosis score per segment), Total Plaque Score (TPS; the sum of the plaque amount per segment) and plaque compositionwere compared to 389 age, sex and ethnicity matched controls without diabetes after adjustment for BMI, family history of coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and smoking.

Results

Diabetes was positively correlated to the presence and extent of CAC (P<0.0001 for both). SIS, SSS and TPS were significantly higher in those with diabetes (P<0.0001). Number of mixed and calcified plaques were significantly higher in those with diabetes (P = 0.018 and P<0.001 respectively) but there was no significant difference in the number of non-calcified plaques between the two groups (P = 0.398).

Conclusions

Patients with diabetes have higher CAC and semi-quantitative coronary plaque scores compared to the age, gender and ethnicity matched controls without diabetes after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. Since mixed plaque is associated with worse long-term clinical outcomes, these findings support more aggressive preventive measures in this population.     

Positive Association of Coronary Calcium Detected by Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography with Periprocedural Myocardial Infarction

Background

Periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) may occur in approximately 5% to 30% of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Whether the morphology of coronary plaque calcium affects the occurrence of PMI is unknown.

Materials and Methods

A total of 616 subjects with stable angina and normal baseline cardiac troponin I levels who had undergone computed tomography angiography (CTA) were referred to elective percutaneous coronary intervention. The morphology of coronary calcium was determined by CTA analysis. PMI was defined as an elevation in 24-h post-procedural cardiac troponin I levels of > 5 times the upper limit of normal with either symptoms of myocardial ischemia, new ischemic electrocardiographic changes, or documented complications during the procedure. Logistic regression was performed to identify the effect of the morphology of coronary calcium on the occurrence of PMI.

Results

According to the presence or morphology of coronary calcium as shown by CTA, 210 subjects were grouped in the heavy calcification group, 258 in the mild calcification group, 40 in the spotty calcification group and 108 in the control group. The dissection rate was significantly higher in the heavy calcification group than in the control group (7.1 % vs. 1.9%, p = 0.03). The occurrence of PMI in the heavy calcification group was significantly higher than that in the control group (OR 4.38, 95% CI 1.80–10.65, p = 0.001). After multivariate adjustment, the risk of PMI still remained significantly higher in the heavy calcification group than in the control group (OR 4.04, 95% CI 1.50–10.89, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The morphology of coronary calcium determined by CTA may help to predict the subsequent occurrence of PMI. A large amount of coronary calcium may be predictive of PMI.     

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Based Assessment of Endothelial Shear Stress and Its Association with Atherosclerotic Plaque Distribution In-Vivo

Purpose

The relationship between low endothelial shear stress (ESS) and coronary atherosclerosis is well established. ESS assessment so far depended on invasive procedures. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the relationship between ESS and coronary atherosclerosis by using non-invasive coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations.

Methods

A total number of 7 consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease who received CTA and invasive angiography with IVUS analysis were included in this study. CTA examinations were performed using a dual-source scanner. These datasets were used to build a 3D mesh model. CFD calculations were performed using a validated CFD solver. The presence of plaque was assumed if the thickness of the intima-media complex exceeded 0.3 mm in IVUS. Plaque composition was derived by IVUS radiofrequency data analysis.

Results

Plaque was present in 32.1% of all analyzed cross-sections. Plaque prevalence was highest in areas of low ESS (49.6%) and high ESS (34.8%). In parts exposed to intermediate-low and intermediate-high ESS few plaques were found (20.0% and 24.0%) (p<0.001). Wall thickness was closely associated with local ESS. Intima-media thickness was 0.43±0.34mm in low and 0.38±0.32mm in high ESS segments. It was significantly lower when the arterial wall was exposed to intermediate ESS (0.25±0.18mm and 0.28 ± 0.20mm) (p<0.001). Fibrofatty tissue was predominately found in areas exposed to low ESS (p≤0.023).

Conclusions

In this study a close association of atherosclerotic plaque distribution and ESS pattern could be demonstrated in-vivo. Adding CFD analysis to coronary CTA offers the possibility to gather morphologic and physiologic data within one non-invasive examination.     

Relation between Mild to Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease and Coronary Artery Disease Determined with Coronary CT Angiography

Background

Both end-stage and milder stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Several studies found an association between decreasing renal function and increasing coronary artery calcification, but it remains unclear if this association is independent from traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether mild to moderate CKD is independently associated with coronary plaque burden beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

A total of 2,038 patients with symptoms of chest discomfort suspected for coronary artery disease underwent coronary CT-angiography. We assessed traditional risk factors, coronary calcium score and coronary plaque characteristics (morphology and degree of luminal stenosis). Patients were subdivided in three groups, based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) Normal renal function (eGFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m²); mild CKD (eGFR 60–89 mL/min/1.73 m²); and moderate CKD (eGFR 30–59 mL/min/1.73 m²).

Results

Coronary calcium score increased significantly with decreasing renal function (P<0.001). Coronary plaque prevalence was higher in patients with mild CKD (OR 1.83, 95%CI 1.52–2.21) and moderate CKD (OR 2.46, 95%CI 1.69–3.59), compared to patients with normal renal function (both P<0.001). Coronary plaques with >70% luminal stenosis were found significantly more often in patients with mild CKD (OR 1.67 (95%CI 1.16–2.40) and moderate CKD (OR2.36, 95%CI 1.35–4.13), compared to patients with normal renal function (both P<0.01). After adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, the association between renal function and the presence of any coronary plaque as well as the association between renal function and the presence of coronary plaques with >70% luminal stenosis becomes weaker and were no longer statistically significant.

Conclusion

Although decreasing renal function is associated with increasing extent and severity of coronary artery disease, mild to moderately CKD is not independently associated with coronary plaque burden after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.     

A Comparison of Accelerometer Cut-Points among Individuals with Coronary Artery Disease

Background

Accurate assessment of physical activity among coronary artery disease patients is important for assessing adherence to interventions. The study compared moderate-to-vigorous physical intensity activity and relationships with cardiometabolic health/fitness indicators using accelerometer cut-points developed for coronary artery disease patients versus those developed in younger and middle-aged adults.

Methods

A total of 231 adults with coronary artery disease wore an Actigraph GT3X accelerometer for ≥4 days (≥10 hours/day). Moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity between cut-points was compared using Bland-Altman analyses. Partial spearman correlations assessed relationships between moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity from each cut-point with markers of cardiometabolic health and fitness while controlling for age and sex.

Results

Average time spent in bouts of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity using coronary artery disease cut-points was significantly higher than the young (mean difference: 13.0±12.8 minutes/day) or middle-aged (17.0±15.2 minutes/day) cut-points. Young and middle-aged cut-points were more strongly correlated with body mass index, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure, while coronary artery disease cut-points had stronger relationships with triglycerides, high-density and low-density lipoproteins. All were similarly correlated with measures of fitness.

Conclusion

Researchers need to exert caution when deciding on which cut-points to apply to their population. Further work is needed to validate which cut-points provide a true reflection of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity and to examine relationships among patients with varying fitness.