Abstract
Studies have demonstrated that plaque vulnerability is greatest in the intermediate stage of progression (Glagov), where there is positive remodeling in the wall and a relative preservation of the lumen. Cardiac CT has the potential for monitoring the success or failure of modifying CAD risk factors particularly in patient with hyperlipidemia, family history of CAD, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking.
The coronary arteries should be inspected with thin slices (usually 0.9 mm or less), curved MPR, and vessel analysis, in order to detect early disease and other subtle abnormalities. The use of maximum intensity projection (MIP) and 3D volume rendering may mask the disease. On visual examination of coronary angiography, high-grade stenosis is considered with a luminal diameter stenosis of greater than 50% in the left main coronary artery and greater than 70% stenosis in the rest of the coronary tree. There may be significant discrepancy between the CTA and non-quantitative coronary angiogram.
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Smuclovisky, C. (2018). Cardiac CTA of Coronary Artery Disease. In: Smuclovisky, C. (eds) Coronary Artery CTA. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66988-5_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66988-5_6
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