Abstract 3412: Prognostic Value of Non-Obstructive CT low-dense Coronary Artery Plaques Detected by Multislice Computed Tomography

Abstract

Background: The prognostic value of non-obstructive, CT low-dense plaques (CTLDP) on multislice computed tomography (MSCT) for the prediction of nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unstable angina and cardiac death has not yet been defined. Methods and Results: We identified 760 patients who underwent MSCT and had non-obstructive coronary artery disease were followed up for the occurrence of AMI, unstable angina and cardiac death. Non-obstructive CTLDP were defined as plaques with the CT density <68 Hounsfield unit, which accompanied by mild to moderate coronary artery stenosis (25–75%). Patients were followed-up for the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) including nonfatal AMI and unstable angina, and cardiac death for 1060 ± 539 days. CTLDP were detected in 189 patients (24.9 %). The annual event rate of AMI, unstable angina, ACS and cardiac death was 0.94 %, 1.13 %, 2.08 % and 0.37 %, respectively in patients with CTLDP and 0.05 %, 0.64%, 0.70 % and 0.23 %, respectively in patients without CTLDP. The event rate of ACS was significantly higher in patients with CTLDP than in those without CTLDP (p=0.002). Univariate Cox regression analysis disclosed that the presence of CTLDP is an independent predictor of the occurrence of ACS. Conclusion: Non-obstructive CTLDP detected by MSCT yield prognostic information toward the identification of ACS. Figure: Kaplan-Meyer curves for the ACS-free survival