Quantification of coronary low-attenuation plaque volume for long-term prediction of cardiac events and reclassification of patients

• Published in: Journal of cardiovascular computed tomography 2018-03, Vol.12 (2), p.118-124
• Main Authors: Deseive, S., Straub, R., Kupke, M., Broersen, A., Kitslaar, P.H., Massberg, S., Hadamitzky, M., Hausleiter, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coronary CT angiography; Coronary plaque volume; Low-attenuation plaque volume; Plaque volume quantification; Prognosis
• ISSN: 1934-5925; 1876-861X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2018.01.002

To investigate the incremental prognostic value of low-attenuation plaque volume (LAPV) from coronary CT angiography datasets. Quantification of LAPV was performed using dedicated software equipped with an adaptive plaque tissue algorithm in 1577 patients with suspected CAD. A combination of death and acute coronary syndrome was defined as primary endpoint. To assess the incremental prognostic value of LAPV, parameters were added to a baseline model including clinical risk and obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), a baseline model including clinical risk and calcium scoring (CACS) and a baseline model including clinical risk and segment involvement score (SIS). Patients were followed for 5.5 years either by telephone contact, mail or clinical visits. The primary endpoint occurred in 30 patients. Quantified LAPV provided incremental prognostic information beyond clinical risk and obstructive CAD (c-index 0.701 vs. 0.767, p