Association of atherosclerosis in the descending thoracic aorta with coronary artery disease on multi detector row computed tomography coronary angiography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

Association Between Perivascular Adipose Tissue Density and Atherosclerosis in the Descending Thoracic Aorta

Radiodensity measured by computed tomography (CT) in Hounsfield Units (HU) is emerging as a clinical tool for detecting perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) inflammation. In the present study, we hypothesized that PVAT radiodensity might predict the risk of descending thoracic aorta atherosclerosis. A total of 73 subjects who underwent CT angiography to investigate aortic disease were retrospectively analyzed. PVAT radiodensity, aortic complex plaque (ACP), mean plaque-burden score (MPBS), and plaque density were measured, and the association between them was analyzed. Perivascular adipose tissue radiodensity (HU) in patients with different aortic plaques grades (grade 1, 2, 3, and 4) were -93.71 ± 2.50, -93.63 ± 3.93, -90.24 ± 4.49, and -89.90 ± 5.18, respectively, and the difference was significant (P = .010). In the regression analysis, PVAT radiodensity was an independent predictor of ACP, with an OR of 1.263. In the linear analysis, PVAT radiodensity was an independent predictor of MPBS, with a β-coefficient of .073. In the univariate analysis, only the PVAT radiodensity was significantly associated with plaque density, with a β-coefficient of -1.666. In conclusion, PVAT density was independently related to descending thoracic aorta atherosclerosis.

Incidence and predictors of transcatheter aortic valve replacement device emboligenic matter detected by transesophageal echocardiography

During transfemoral (TF) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) sometimes reveals an unexpected mobile membranous mass on the catheter tip within the proximal part of the descending thoracic aorta. Such mobile masses may cause critical embolic events if the TAVR device advances into the ascending aorta in the absence of preventive measures. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and predictors of emboligenic matter (EM) during TAVR, impact of EM on the procedure, and incidence of symptomatic ischemic stroke post procedure. Among 436 consecutive patients who underwent TF-TAVR, 407 were evaluated in this study. The primary end point was incidence of symptomatic ischemic stroke within 24 h post procedure while taking appropriate preventive measures. Incidence of EM, factors associated with EM, and the impact of EM on the procedure were also investigated. Among the 407 cases, 15 cases (3.7%) of EM were identified but no ischemic stroke occurred in the EM (+) group (0% vs. 2.04%, p = 1.00). In the EM (+) group, a self-expandable valve was used in all 15 cases (100% vs. 42.6%, p < 0.0001) while 14 cases used a CoreValve's InLine sheath system initially (93.3% vs. 27.3%, p < 0.0001). CoreValve's InLine sheath system usage was the only independent predictor of EM. The CoreValve's InLine delivery system was identified as a predictor of EM during TF-TAVR, but symptomatic ischemic stroke was avoided while taking appropriate embolization preventive measures.

Should Radiologists Comment on Incidental Findings of Vascular Calcifications Found on Abdominal/Pelvic CT in Patients Less Than 50 Years of Age?

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate if incidental abdominopelvic calcified atherosclerosis (ACA) in patients under 50 years of age correlates with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Most studies evaluating calcific atherosclerosis and associated increased risk of CVD have concentrated on middle age and older populations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of 519 emergency department patients, aged 25-50 years, receiving computed tomography (CT) was performed and ACA correlated with lipid panels obtained via chart review. Those with calcified atherosclerosis were subdivided by vessel location and calcification burden (mild, moderate, or severe). Patients were followed for six years. Normality, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests were performed.

RESULTS

Two hundred and sixty-nine patients with incidental ACA on CT and 250 without ACA were studied. Atherosclerotic calcifications had a statistically significant correlation with elevated triglyceride (128 mg/dL vs 105 mg/dL; p = 0.0003) and decreased high-density lipoprotein (38 mg/dL vs 41 mg/dL; p = 0.0032) as compared to the control. Patients with ACA were at higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and death (p < 0.0001) during a six-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Incidental atherosclerotic calcification on abdominopelvic CT in patients under 50 years of age correlated with elevated triglycerides and decreased high-density lipoprotein as well as higher risk of cardiovascular events. Since radiologists may be the first to identify this finding and CVD is the leading cause of US deaths, proper recognition and reporting of calcification is valuable.

The association between gallstone disease and plaque in the abdominopelvic arteries

Background:

The aim of this study was to assess the atheromatous plaque, in the abdominopelvic arteries as a marker of cardiac risk in patients with or without gallstone disease (GD).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 136 patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Forty-eight patients had GD and the remaining 88 patients did not. The presence or absence of gallstones was noted during abdominal ultrasonography while vascular risk factors such as plaque formation, intima-media thickness, plaque calcification, mural thrombus, stenosis, aneurysm, and inflammation were recorded during an abdominopelvic computed tomography scan. In addition, percentage of the abdominopelvic aorta surface covered by atheromatous plaque was calculated.

Results:

The mean age of patients with GD and without GD was 50.81 ± 16.20 and 50.40 ± 12.43, respectively. Patients with GD were more likely to have diabetes mellitus, a higher body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.001), and higher cholesterol (P < 0.01), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P < 0.02) levels. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding other atherosclerotic risk factors. Patients with GD had significantly higher rates of the vascular risk factors as intima-media thickness, plaque formation, calcification, aneurysm, mural thrombosis, stenosis, and inflammation in all abdominal arterial segments other than aneurysm in the femoral arteries. In addition, patients with GD had severe atheromatous plaques in the abdominal aorta, common iliac, external iliac, and common femoral artery (CFA). In patients with GD, parameters of age, BMI, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were all correlated with the severity of the atheromatous plaque in abdominal aorta, common iliac, external iliac, and CFA.

Conclusion:

We demonstrated a direct relationship between GD and abdominopelvic atheromatous plaque, which is a marker for increased cardiovascular risk, for the first time in the literature. Patients with GD exhibit greater abdominopelvic atherosclerosis and therefore, have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Assessment of atherosclerosis in large vessel walls: A comprehensive review of FDG-PET/CT image acquisition protocols and methods for uptake quantification

There is growing evidence showing the importance of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the evaluation of vessel wall inflammation and atherosclerosis. Although this imaging modality has been increasingly used, there are various methods for image acquisition and evaluating FDG uptake activity in the vessel walls and atherosclerotic lesions, including qualitative visual scaling, semi-quantitative, and quantitative evaluations. Using each of these image acquisition protocols and measurement methods may result in different findings. In this review, we are going to describe the various image acquisition methods and common measurement strategies reflected in the literature and discuss their advantages and flaws.

Atherosclerosis burden of the aortic valve and aorta and risk of acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

BACKGROUND

Atheroembolic renal disease, due to dislodgement of cholesterol crystals during maneuvering of a large catheter across the aorta and deployment of the transcatheter prosthesis within a calcified aortic valve, may be one of the pathophysiological mechanisms of acute kidney injury (AKI) complicating transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between the atherosclerotic burden and plaque characteristics of the aortic valve and thoracic aorta, evaluated with multidetector CT (MDCT), and the occurrence of AKI after TAVI.

METHODS

Aortic valve calcification, atherosclerosis burden, and plaque characteristics of the thoracic aorta (including aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending aorta) were analyzed in preprocedural MDCT data of 210 TAVI patients (age, 81 ± 7.1 years; 51.4% men). The thoracic aorta was divided into ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending thoracic aorta which was further divided into 5 to 8 segments according to the posterior intercostal arteries. Each segment where the maximum wall thickness exceeded ≥ 2 mm was defined as diseased segment with atherosclerotic plaque. Aortic atherosclerosis burden was defined as the proportion of thoracic aortic segments with atherosclerosis. AKI was defined by a creatinine level ≥ 1.5 × baseline or ≥ 26.4 μmol/L above baseline. MDCT data were correlated with the occurrence of postprocedural AKI in a multivariate logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Postprocedural AKI occurred in 51 patients (24.3%). In patients with AKI, the burden of overall (87.5% [75%-90%] vs 71.4% [50%-87.5%]; P < .001) and noncalcified atherosclerosis (42.9% [22.2%-62.5%] vs 12.5% [0%-28.6%]; P < .001) and the maximum plaque thickness (5.7 ± 1.8 mm vs 4.5 ± 1.4 mm; P < .001) were larger compared with patients without AKI. The burden of noncalcified atherosclerosis remained independently associated with AKI (odds ratio, 1.03 [per each 1% of increase in aortic segments with noncalcified atherosclerosis]; 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.05; P = .006) after adjusting for baseline renal function, logistic EuroSCORE, and procedural access. In contrast, aortic valve calcification was not independently associated with AKI.

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing TAVI, occurrence of postprocedural AKI was associated with the extent of noncalcified atherosclerotic plaque burden of the thoracic aorta.

Associations of atherosclerosis in the descending thoracic aorta on CTA with arterial stiffness and chronic kidney disease in asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus

The relation between atherosclerosis in the descending thoracic aortic (DTA), arterial stiffness and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unclear. The current aim was to evaluate associations of DTA atherosclerosis with arterial stiffness and parameters of CKD in asymptomatic patients with DM. A total of 213 asymptomatic patients with diabetes (mean age 52 years, 56% men) underwent cardiovascular risk assessment including multi-slice computed tomography (for non-invasive coronary angiography, from which DTA atherosclerosis can be derived), non-invasive assessment of arterial stiffness with applanation tonometry and assessment of renal function. Measurements of DTA atherosclerosis included assessment of DTA thickening and calcium score. Arterial stiffness was determined by the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), parameters of CKD included estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR). DTA atherosclerosis was present in 180 (84%) patients. Patients with DTA atherosclerosis had increased arterial stiffness, lower eGFR and higher UACR values. After multivariate correction, DTA calcium score was independently associated with PWV (β = 0.18, p = 0.04). Furthermore, both DTA maximal wall thickness and DTA calcium score were independently associated with eGFR (β = -7.37, p < 0.001 and β = -1.99, p < 0.003, respectively), but not with UACR. The increase in arterial stiffness by atherosclerosis seemed to be mediated by arterial calcification, while the DTA calcium score was independently associated with arterial stiffness, but not DTA maximal wall thickness. Furthermore, parameters of CKD in patients with DM had a distinct relationship with DTA atherosclerosis: DTA atherosclerosis was associated with eGFR but not with UACR.

Prognostic value of aortic and mitral valve calcium detected by contrast cardiac computed tomography angiography in patients with suspicion of coronary artery disease

Aortic valve calcium (VC) detected on noncontrast cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is known to be associated with all-cause mortality in asymptomatic and primary prevention population. However, the clinical significance of aortic and mitral VC remains unknown in symptomatic patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the present study was to assess whether aortic and mitral VC is independently associated with cardiac events and all-cause mortality in symptomatic patients with suspected CAD. A total of 369 symptomatic patients (mean age 55 ± 11 years, 60% men) who were referred for CCTA because of suspected CAD were included in the study. Aortic and mitral VC was detected and quantified by volume on contrast CCTA. Median follow-up for events (coronary events and all-cause mortality) was 2.8 (interquartile range 1.6 to 4.0) with a maximum of 5.5 years. A total of 39 patients (11%) had VC. Increased age, hypertension, and increased Agatston coronary artery calcium score were associated with VC. During the follow-up, patients with VC had higher risk for a coronary event (38.8% vs 11%, log-rank p <0.001) and worse survival rate (92.3% vs 99.1%, log-rank p = 0.002) compared with those without VC. Volume of VC was independently associated with outcome after adjusting for clinical variables (hazard ratio 1.88, p <0.001), Agatston coronary artery calcium score (hazard ratio 1.47, p = 0.03), and significant CAD (hazard ratio 1.81, p = 0.001). In conclusion, aortic and mitral VC volume quantified on contrast CCTA was independently associated with coronary events and all-cause mortality in patients with suspected CAD.