Takashi Shizukuishi, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Yuichi Sato MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hiroshi Tanaka MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Satoru Furuhashi MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Satoshi Saito MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Motoichiro Takahashi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Atsushi Hirayama, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The prognostic value of non-obstructive, CT low-dense plaques (CTLDP) on multislice computed tomography (MSCT) for the prediction of acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina and cardiac death has not yet been defined.

We identified 760 patients who underwent MSCT and were found to have non-obstructive coronary artery disease were followed up for the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina and cardiac death. Non-obstructive CTLDP were defined as plaques with the CT density <68 Hounsfield unit, which accompanied by mild to moderate (25-75%) coronary artery stenosis in the major coronary arteries with the diameter ≥ 2.0 mm. Patients were followed-up for the occurrence of 1) acute coronary syndrome (ACS) including nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and unstable angina, and 2) cardiac death for 1060 ± 536 days.

CTLDP were detected in 189 patients (24.9 %). The annual event rate of AMI, unstable angina, ACS and cardiac death was 0.94 %, 1.13 %, 2.08 % and 0.37 %, respectively in patients with CTLDP and 0.05 %, 0.64 %, 0.70 % and 0.23 %, respectively in patients without CTLDP. The event rate of ACS was significantly higher in patients with CTLDP than in those without CTLDP (p=0.002). Univariate Cox regression analysis disclosed that the presence of CTLDP is an independent predictor of the occurrence of ACS.

Non-obstructive CTLDP detected by MSCT yield prognostic information toward the identification of ACS.

The results indicate CT low-dense plaques identified patients at high risk for the occurence of ACS even in the absence of obstructive coronary artery lesions.

Shizukuishi, T, Sato, Y, Tanaka, H, Furuhashi, S, Saito, S, Takahashi, M, Hirayama, A, Prognostic Value of Nonobstructive, CT Low-Dense Coronary Artery Plaques Detected by Multislice Computed Tomography.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5010527.html