Comparison of iodinated contrast media for the assessment of atherosclerotic plaque attenuation values by CT coronary angiography: observations in an ex vivo model

• Published in: British journal of radiology 2013-01, Vol.86 (1021), p.20120238-20120238
• Main Authors: La Grutta, L, Galia, M, Gentile, G, Lo Re, G, Grassedonio, E, Coppolino, F, Maffei, E, Maresi, E, Lo Casto, A, Cademartiri, F, Midiri, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Contrast Media - administration & dosage; Coronary Angiography - methods; Coronary Artery Disease - diagnostic imaging; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Iopamidol - administration & dosage; Iopamidol - analogs & derivatives; Male; Middle Aged; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Triiodobenzoic Acids - administration & dosage
• ISSN: 0007-1285; 1748-880X
• DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20120238

To compare the influence of different iodinated contrast media with several dilutions on plaque attenuation in an ex vivo coronary model studied by multislice CT coronary angiography. In six ex vivo left anterior descending coronary arteries immersed in oil, CT (slices/collimation 64×0.625 mm, temporal resolution 210 ms, pitch 0.2) was performed after intracoronary injection of a saline solution, and solutions of a dimeric isosmolar contrast medium (Iodixanol 320 mgI ml(-1)) and a monomeric high-iodinated contrast medium (Iomeprol 400 mgI ml(-1)) with dilutions of 1/80 (low concentration), 1/50 (medium concentration), 1/40 (high concentration) and 1/20 (very high concentration). Two radiologists drew regions of interest in the lumen and in calcified and non-calcified plaques for each solution. 29 cross-sections with non-calcified plaques and 32 cross-sections with calcified plaques were evaluated. Both contrast media showed different attenuation values within lumen and plaque (p0.05). Differently iodinated contrast media have a similar influence on plaque attenuation profiles. Since iodine load affects coronary plaque attenuation linearly, different contrast media may be equally employed for coronary atherosclerotic plaque imaging.