Characterization of Hyperintense Plaque With Noncontrast T1 -Weighted Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Coronary Plaque Imaging

• Published in: JACC. Cardiovascular imaging 2009-06, Vol.2 (6), p.720-728
• Main Authors: Kawasaki, Tomohiro, MD, Koga, Shoichi, MD, Koga, Nobuhiko, MD, Noguchi, Teruo, MD, Tanaka, Hidenori, MD, Koga, Hisashi, MD, Serikawa, Takeshi, MD, Orita, Yoshiya, MD, Ikeda, Shinsuke, MD, Mito, Takahiro, MD, Goto, Yoshitaka, MD, Shintani, Yoshiaki, MD, Tanaka, Atsushi, MD, Fukuyama, Takaya, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cardiovascular
• ISSN: 1936-878X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2009.01.016

Objectives This study sought to characterize coronary hyperintense plaques (HIP) using noncontrast T1 -weighted imaging (T1WI) in cardiac magnetic resonance, which was then compared with multislice computed tomography and intravascular ultrasound. Background Carotid plaque components such as intraplaque hemorrhages and/or lipid-rich necrotic cores can be detected as HIP by noncontrast T1WI. Although coronary HIPs have been successfully detected using this technique, the properties of hyperintense signals in coronary plaques have not yet been systematically evaluated. Methods Thirty-eight lesions from 37 patients with angina pectoris who demonstrated >70% coronary stenosis on multislice computed tomography were evaluated by noncontrast T1WI using a 1.5-T magnetic resonance imager, and 25 lesions were evaluated by intravascular ultrasound. Signal intensity of coronary plaque to cardiac muscle ratio >1.0 was defined as HIP. We divided 25 lesions into the 2 groups, according to the presence or absence of HIP: HIP (n = 18) and non-HIP (n = 7) groups. Results In comparison with the non-HIP group, the HIP group demonstrated significantly higher coronary plaque to cardiac muscle ratio (1.7 ± 0.7 vs. 0.9 ± 0.1, p < 0.01), higher frequency of positive remodeling as observed by both multislice computed tomography (89% vs. 0%, p