Francesca Antonella Calabrese MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Alessandro Napoli MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michele Anzidei MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Beatrice Cavallo Marincola, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Carlo Catalano MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Roberto Passariello MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

to evaluate the diagnostic role of 64-detector row CT Angiography(64-CTA)in the detection of coronary and extra-coronary atherosclerotic lesions in patients with IA.

30 consecutive patients with known or suspected IA underwent Whole Body 64-CTA(Sensation Cardiac,Siemens).Two subsequent data sets were acquired using a 64x0.6mm detector configuration with an adapted contrast material injection protocol(120 mL at 4mL/s of 400mgI/mL).ECG-gated coronary scanning with automatic dose modulation was first performed, followed by an ultra-low dose scanning(80 kVp)of the entire arterial system.Images were assessed independently by two readers for vascular pathology.Coronary artery and whole body arterial districts were divided into 15(according to NYHA)and 32 segments, respectively.Sensitivity,specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 64-CTA in the detection or exclusion of significant atherosclerotic disease were evaluated.

417 of 450 coronary segments were evaluated;reasons for non-assessability were motion artefacts(16)and arrhythmia(17).On a per segment basis CTA demonstrated significant CAD in 29,5%(123/417)and normal to non-significant lesions in 70,5%(294/417) of the analyzed segments.Sensitivity,specificity and diagnostic accuracy for 64-CTA was 84%,96% and 98%, respectively.Out of 960 extra-coronary arteries evaluated,atherosclerotic lesions were found in 490 segments(51%),of which,significant stenosis was observed in 58(12%)and aneurysm dilatation in 8 (1,6%).In one patient an abdominal aortic inflammatory aneurysm was depicted.

Inflammation is a basic pathological mechanism that underlines a variety of disease such as arteritis and atherosclerosis.Endothelium is a focus for inflammatory process. Whole body CT Angiography is is the preferred method for imaging because it allows simultaneous coronary and extra-coronary atherosclerotic involvement, which can occur in patients with inflammatory arteritis.

In patient with inflammatory aortic disease, 64-detector row Whole Body CTA provides a fast and comprehensive vascular and cardiac involvement and can drive clinicians for specific therapy

Calabrese, F, Napoli, A, Anzidei, M, Cavallo Marincola, B, Catalano, C, Passariello, R, Clinical Impact of 64-detector Row Whole Body CT Angiography in Patients with Inflammatory Arteritis(IA).  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5013189.html