Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Cahalane R.;Broderick S.;Kavanagh E.;Moloney M.;Mongrain R.;Purtill H.;Walsh M.;O'Brien J.
2019
January
Journal Of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
Comparative analysis of calcification parameters with Agatston Score approximations for ex vivo atherosclerotic lesions
Published
4 ()
Optional Fields
Calcium score Cardiovascular disease Computed tomography Extra-coronary calcification Hounsfield unit
© 2019 Background: The Agatston Calcium Score is a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events but it is unable to identify high-risk lesions. Recent research suggests that examining calcification phenotype could be more indicative of plaque stability. Objective: To examine the Agatston score's ability to determine atherosclerotic calcification phenotype. Methods: Micro-Computed Tomography was performed on 20 carotid and 20 peripheral lower limb lesions. ImageJ pixel histogram analysis quantified the non-calcified (¿30HU, <130HU) and calcified (¿130HU) tissue volumes. ImageJ `3D Objects Counter¿ plugin determined the calcified particle count, volumes and maximum attenuation density of each particle. Image stacks were subsequently downsampled to a resolution of 0.7 × 0.7 × 3 mm and an approximation for the Extra-Coronary Calcium Scores (ECCS) were calculated. Spearman's correlation examined the relationships between ECCS approximations and calcification parameters. Results: ECCS has a strong positive correlation with the Calcified Volume Fraction (CVF) (rs = 0.865, p < 0.0005), weak positive correlations with Calcified Particle Fraction (CPF) (rs = 0.422, p = 0.007) and Microcalcification Fraction (micro-CF) (rs = 0.361, p = 0.022). There is no correlation evident between ECCS and Calcified Particle Index (CPI) (rs = ¿0.162, p = 0.318). It is apparent that there is a high prevalence of microcalcifications in both carotid and peripheral lower limb lesions. Additionally, an inverse relationship exists between calcified particle volume and maximum-recorded attenuation density. Conclusion: The density-weighted Agatston calcium scoring methodology needs to be reviewed. Calcium scoring which differentiates between critical calcification morphologies, rather than presenting a density-weighted score, is required to direct high-risk plaques towards tailored treatment.
1934-5925
10.1016/j.jcct.2019.07.003
Grant Details