Abstract
ObjectiveTo perform a quantitative analysis of the lung parenchyma and pulmonary vasculature of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) on computed tomography angiography (CTA) images, using automated software.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the CTA findings and clinical records of 45 patients with PH (17 males and 28 females), in comparison with a control group of 20 healthy individuals (7 males and 13 females); the mean age differed significantly between the two groups (53 ± 14.7 vs. 35 ± 9.6 years; p = 0.0001).ResultsThe automated analysis showed that, in comparison with the controls, the patients with PH showed lower 10th percentile values for lung density, higher vascular volumes in the right upper lung lobe, and higher vascular volume ratios between the upper and lower lobes. In our quantitative analysis, we found no differences among the various PH subgroups. We inferred that a difference in the 10th percentile values indicates areas of hypovolemia in patients with PH and that a difference in pulmonary vascular volumes indicates redistribution of the pulmonary vasculature and an increase in pulmonary vasculature resistance.ConclusionAutomated analysis of pulmonary vessels on CTA images revealed alterations and could represent an objective diagnostic tool for the evaluation of patients with PH.
Highlights
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a chronic clinical disease characterized by elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and pressure associated with extensive vascular5
The objective of this study was to perform a quantitative analysis of the parenchyma and pulmonary vasculature on computed tomography angiography (CTA) images of patients diagnosed with PH by right heart catheterization (RHC)
We found no significant differences between the PH and control patients in terms of the mean pulmonary volumes and densities
Summary
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a chronic clinical disease characterized by elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and pressure associated with extensive vascular. Wada DT et al / Quantitative CTA of the pulmonary vasculature in PH proliferation and remodeling. It is defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) greater than or equal to 25 mmHg at rest or greater than 30 mmHg during exercise[1], as determined by right heart catheterization (RHC). New tools for quantitative and functional evaluation have been used in imaging studies to increase the diagnostic capacity of the methods, as well as to provide information that is more objective and has prognostic value. The objective of this study was to perform a quantitative analysis of the parenchyma and pulmonary vasculature on CTA images of patients diagnosed with PH by RHC. We used a computer program with fully automated analysis capability
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