P6 IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CORONARY PLAQUES WITH CT VIRTUAL INTRAVASCULAR ENDOSCOPY: A PICTORIAL REVIEW

Abstract

Purpose: To identify and characterize the coronary plaques, as well as the position of the plaques in relation to the coronary ostium using multislice CT virtual intravascular endoscopy (VIE). Materials and Methods: 20 patients suspected of coronary artery disease undergoing 64-slice CT angiography were included in the study. 3D VIE images were reconstructed to visualise the intraluminal appearance of normal coronary wall, coronary plaques in terms of characterization, location and degree of stenosis. Coronary plaques were characterized into non-calcified, calcified and mixed plaques. Results: VIE was successfully generated in all of the patients with clear demonstration of the spectrum of intraluminal findings of coronary plaques. Regular and smooth intraluminal appearance was commonly seen with VIE in non-calcified and focally calcified plaques, while irregular luminal changes were noticed in the extensively calcified and mixed plaques. VIE is able to accurately confirm the degree of coronary stenosis without being affected by the blooming artifacts resulting from severe calcification. Conclusion: VIE provides unique information about intraluminal changes due to presence of coronary plaques. Research findings from this study will provide additional information compared to conventional views, and so accurate assessment of coronary plaques with regard to corresponding coronary luminal changes and prediction of disease progression could be achieved.