• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제53권9호
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• pp.581-593
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• 2023

In the catheterization laboratory, the measurement of physiological indexes can help identify functionally significant lesions and has become one of the standard methods to guide treatment decision-making. Plaque vulnerability refers to a coronary plaque susceptible to rupture, enabling risk prediction before coronary events, and it can be detected by defining a certain type of plaque morphology on coronary imaging modalities. Although coronary physiology and plaque vulnerability have been considered different attributes of coronary artery disease, the underlying pathophysiological basis and clinical data indicate a strong correlation between coronary hemodynamic properties and vulnerable plaque. In prediction of coronary events, emerging data have suggested independent and additional implications of a physiology-based approach to a plaque-based approach. This review covers the fundamental interplay between coronary physiology and plaque morphology during disease progression with clinical data supporting this relationship and examines the clinical relevance of physiological indexes in prediction of clinical outcomes and therapeutic decision-making along with plaque vulnerability.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제12권10호
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• pp.349-356
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• 2012

관상동맥 죽상경화반(atheromatous plaque)의 진단에 있어 혈관내초음파(Intravascular Ultrasound: IVUS)와 비교하여 심장전산화단층촬영(Cardiac Computed Tomographic Angiography: CCTA)의 진단 정확도를 알아보고, IVUS에서 발견된 죽상경화반의 성상을 CCTA에서 전산화단층촬영 수치(Hounsfield Unit: HU)로 구하고자 하였다. 2006년 4월부터 2008년 8월까지 관상동맥질환(Coronary Artery Disease: CAD)으로 확진 되었거나 CAD가 의심스러운 환자들 중 CCTA를 시행하여 죽상경화반을 발견하고 추후 IVUS를 시행한 200명의 환자를 대상으로 하였다. CCTA후 IVUS를 시행한 200명의 환자에서 476개의 죽상경화반이 발견되었으며, CCTA에서는 460개의 죽상경화반이 발견되었다. IVUS의 결과는 soft plaque(n; 84), fibrous plaque(n; 63), mixed plaque(n; 97), calcific plaque(n; 232)이었다. 이 결과에 따라 IVUS에서 분류된 죽상경화반의 HU는 soft plaque : $53.8{\pm}10.5$, fibrous plaque : $108.1{\pm}20.0$, mixed plaque : $371.2{\pm}113.1$, 그리고 calcific plaque : $731.0{\pm}160.4$ 이었으며, CCTA에서 민감도와 신뢰구간은 97%, 95.0-98.3이었다. CCTA를 이용한 관상동맥 죽상경화반의 진단을 위한 이번 연구에서 IVUS와 비교하여 높은 민감도와 신뢰구간을 확인할 수 있었고, IVUS 결과를 기준으로 CCTA에서 분석한 HU를 통해 죽상경화반의 성상을 구분할 수 있어 CAD 환자의 치료에 도움을 줄 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.518-539
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• 2024

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a pivotal tool for diagnosing and risk-stratifying patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Recent advancements in image analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have enabled the comprehensive quantitative analysis of coronary atherosclerosis. Fully quantitative assessments of coronary stenosis and lumen attenuation have improved the accuracy of assessing stenosis severity and predicting hemodynamically significant lesions. In addition to stenosis evaluation, quantitative plaque analysis plays a crucial role in predicting and monitoring CAD progression. Studies have demonstrated that the quantitative assessment of plaque subtypes based on CT attenuation provides a nuanced understanding of plaque characteristics and their association with cardiovascular events. Quantitative analysis of serial CCTA scans offers a unique perspective on the impact of medical therapies on plaque modification. However, challenges such as time-intensive analyses and variability in software platforms still need to be addressed for broader clinical implementation. The paradigm of CCTA has shifted towards comprehensive quantitative plaque analysis facilitated by technological advancements. As these methods continue to evolve, their integration into routine clinical practice has the potential to enhance risk assessment and guide individualized patient management. This article reviews the evolving landscape of quantitative plaque analysis in CCTA and explores its applications and limitations.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제83권1호
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• pp.28-41
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• 2022

급성 관상동맥 증후군은 관상동맥 경화반의 갑작스러운 파열과 관련된 3가지 유형의 관상동맥 질환을 의미하며 임상적으로는 ST 분절 상승 심근경색에서 비 ST 분절 상승 심근경색 또는 불안정성 협심증 등으로 표현된다. 심장 CT의 기술 발전을 통해 심장 CT는 관상동맥 내 죽상동맥경화반의 정량화 및 특성을 평가할 수 있게 되었으며, 현재까지 낮은 감쇠의 경화반, 냅킨 반지 표시, 양성 리모델링, 점상 석회화 및 증가된 혈관 주변 지방 감쇠가 심장 CT에서 경화반 파열을 의미하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 따라서 심장 CT는 관상동맥의 혈관협착정도를 진단하는 것을 넘어 급성 관상동맥 증후군을 진단하는데도 많은 기여를 하고 있다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권9호
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• pp.1055-1064
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• 2020

Objective: To assess the incremental prognostic value of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in comparison to a clinical risk model (Framingham risk score, FRS) and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) for future cardiac events in ischemic stroke patients without chest pain. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 1418 patients with acute stroke who had no previous cardiac disease and underwent CCTA, including CACS. Stenosis degree and plaque types (high-risk, non-calcified, mixed, or calcified plaques) were assessed as CCTA variables. High-risk plaque was defined when at least two of the following characteristics were observed: low-density plaque, positive remodeling, spotty calcification, or napkin-ring sign. We compared the incremental prognostic value of CCTA for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) over CACS and FRS. Results: The prevalence of any plaque and obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) (stenosis ≥ 50%) were 70.7% and 30.2%, respectively. During the median follow-up period of 48 months, 108 patients (7.6%) experienced MACE. Increasing FRS, CACS, and stenosis degree were positively associated with MACE (all p < 0.05). Patients with high-risk plaque type showed the highest incidence of MACE, followed by non-calcified, mixed, and calcified plaque, respectively (log-rank p < 0.001). Among the prediction models for MACE, adding stenosis degree to FRS showed better discrimination and risk reclassification compared to FRS or the FRS + CACS model (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, incorporating plaque type in the prediction model significantly improved reclassification (integrated discrimination improvement, 0.08; p = 0.023) and showed the highest discrimination index (C-statistics, 0.85). However, the addition of CACS on CCTA with FRS did not add to the prediction ability for MACE (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Assessment of stenosis degree and plaque type using CCTA provided additional prognostic value over CACS and FRS to risk stratify stroke patients without prior history of CAD better.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제85권2호
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• pp.270-296
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• 2024

관상동맥 CT 조영술은 높은 정확도로 유의한 관상동맥 협착을 발견할 수 있어 관상동맥 질환이 의심되는 환자들에서 침습적 관상동맥 조영술의 문지기로서의 역할을 인정받고 있다. 그러나 관상동맥에 과도한 석회화 경화반이 있으면 내강을 시각화하기 어려워 영상의 해석에 오류를 초래할 수 있다. 이는 주로 CT 스캐너의 제한적인 공간 해상도로 인해 석회화 경화반에 의한 번짐허상이 발생하기 때문이다. 그럼에도 불구하고, 높은 칼슘 점수를 보이는 CT 영상에서 관상동맥 협착을 평가해야 하는 상황을 종종 마주한다. 이러한 한계를 극복하기 위한 기술적인 방법으로 고해상도 CT 스캐너의 도입, 새로운 재구성 기법 및 후처리 기술의 개발, 감산기법 등이 있으며, 판독에 도움이 되는 방법으로 적절한 창너비 및 창높이의 설정, 혈관의 단면 영상에서 석회화 경화반의 범위 및 내강의 잔류 가시성 평가 등이 권고된다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.331-342
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• 2024

The Asian Society of Cardiovascular Imaging-Practical Tutorial (ASCI-PT) is an instructional initiative of the ASCI School designed to enhance educational standards. In 2021, the ASCI-PT was convened with the goal of formulating a consensus statement on the assessment of coronary stenosis and coronary plaque using coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Nineteen experts from four countries conducted thorough reviews of current guidelines and deliberated on eight key issues to refine the process and improve the clarity of reporting CCTA findings. The experts engaged in both online and on-site sessions to establish a unified agreement. This document presents a summary of the ASCI-PT 2021 deliberations and offers a comprehensive consensus statement on the evaluation of coronary stenosis and coronary plaque in CCTA.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.729-738
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• 2019

Objective: To assess the effects of iterative model reconstruction (IMR) on image quality for demonstrating non-calcific high-risk plaque characteristics of coronary arteries. Materials and Methods: This study included 66 patients (53 men and 13 women; aged 39-76 years; mean age, 55 ± 13 years) having single-vessel disease with predominantly non-calcified plaques evaluated using prospective electrocardiogram-gated 256-slice CT angiography. Paired image sets were created using two types of reconstruction: hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) and IMR. Plaque characteristics were compared using the two algorithms. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the images and the CNR between the plaque and adjacent adipose tissue were also compared between the two reformatted methods. Results: Seventy-seven predominantly non-calcified plaques were detected. Forty plaques showed napkin-ring sign with the IMR reformatted method, while nineteen plaques demonstrated napkin-ring sign with HIR. There was no statistically significant difference in the presentation of positive remodeling, low attenuation plaque, and spotty calcification between the HIR and IMR reconstructed methods (all p > 0.5); however, there was a statistically significant difference in the ability to discern the napkin-ring sign between the two algorithms (χ² = 12.12, p < 0.001). The image noise of IMR was lower than that of HIR (10 ± 2 HU versus 12 ± 2 HU; p < 0.01), and the SNR and CNR of the images and the CNR between plaques and surrounding adipose tissues on IMR were better than those on HIR (p < 0.01). Conclusion: IMR can significantly improve image quality compared with HIR for the demonstration of coronary artery and atherosclerotic plaques using a 256-slice CT.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.198-207
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• 2015

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and chronic total occlusion (CTO) of coronary artery are well-known atherosclerotic vascular diseases. However, the difference of intima-media thickness and plaque characteristics of carotid arteries between STEMI and CTO patients were not directly compared in previous studies. Medical records of a total of 158 (101 STEMI, 57 CTO) patients, who underwent carotid artery ultrasonography, were selected for the analysis. The baseline characteristics, ultrasonography findings, and clinical outcomes of the two groups were compared. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia was significantly higher in CTO patients. Carotid intima-media thickness ($0.97{\pm}0.13$ vs. $0.78{\pm}0.17cm$, P < 0.0001) and number of plaques ($2.2{\pm}1.0$ vs. $1.7{\pm}1.2$, P < 0.0001) were greater in CTO than STEMI patients. Multiple (${\geq}3$) or echogenic plaques were more frequently observed in CTO patients. During the median follow-up duration of 27 months, major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 31% of CTO and 14% of STEMI patients (P = 0.008). We found that, compared with STEMI, CTO patients have higher burden of carotid artery atherosclerosis associated with more comorbid diseases and poor clinical outcomes.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제83권1호
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• pp.42-53
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• 2022

관상동맥질환의 임상적인 개념은 지난 10년 동안 패러다임의 변화를 보여왔다. 관상동맥질환은 대부분 진행성 질환이며, 관상동맥질환 환자는 질병 진행의 어느 시점에서도 급성 관상동맥 증후군에 직면할 수 있다. 이러한 임상적 맥락에서 2019년 유럽심장학회 가이드라인에서는 조기 진단과 꾸준한 관리가 필요한 관상동맥질환의 임상적인 중요성을 반영하여 "만성관상동맥증후군"이라는 용어의 사용을 발표하였다. 최근 관상동맥 전산화단층촬영 혈관조영술을 이용한 관상동맥질환의 평가는 많은 발전을 이루었고, 안정형 협심증 또는 만성 관상동맥증후군 환자에서 관상동맥 전산화단층촬영 혈관조영술의 임상적 유용성은 초기 무증상 관상동맥질환의 발견에서부터 죽상경화판의 특성 분석 및 관상동맥질환의 치료 전략 결정에 도움을 주는 역할까지 관상동맥질환의 다양한 단계에 걸쳐 입증되고 있다. 이 종설에서는 안정형 협심증 환자의 이해를 돕는 병태생리를 설명하고 이에 대한 관상동맥 전산화단층촬영의 임상적 적용과 역할에 대해 알아보고자 한다.