TY - JOUR
T1 - Quantification of serial changes in plaque burden using multi-detector computed tomography in experimental atherosclerosis
AU - Ibanez, Borja
AU - Cimmino, Giovanni
AU - Bénézet-Mazuecos, Juan
AU - Santos-Gallego, Carlos G.
AU - Pinero, Antonio
AU - Prat-González, Susanna
AU - Speidl, Walter S.
AU - Fuster, Valentin
AU - García, Mario J.
AU - Sanz, Javier
AU - Badimon, Juan J.
PY - 2009/1
Y1 - 2009/1
N2 - Assessment of changes in plaque volume is increasingly used as a surrogate-endpoint in clinical trials testing the efficacy of anti-atherosclerotic interventions. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) can detect and quantify non-calcified atherosclerotic plaques, but its ability to monitor changes in plaque volume has not yet been tested. We sought to test the ability of MDCT to detect and quantify serial changes in atheroma burden in comparison with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Rabbits (n = 12) with experimentally induced abdominal atherosclerosis were randomized to receive a plaque-regressing agent (recombinant apoA-IMilano, n = 8) or placebo (n = 4). All animals underwent two 64-slice MDCT angiography and MRI studies (pre- and post-treatment). The primary endpoint was the change in plaque burden (defined as vessel wall volume in the 5 cm distal to the left renal artery) between pre- and post-treatment MDCT in comparison with MRI. Results: MDCT detected a significant decrease in plaque burden caused by recombinant apoA-IMilano (464 [423-535] to 405 [363-435] mm3, p = 0.03) that was confirmed by MRI (324 [286-412] to 298 [282-399] mm3, p = 0.03). No significant effect was noted in the placebo group either by MDCT or MRI. There were strong correlations between both modalities for the quantification of plaque burden (r = 0.750, p < 0.001) and change in plaque burden (r = 0.657, p = 0.020). MDCT overestimated plaque burden compared to MRI. On MDCT, the mean interobserver variability for plaque burden was 2.5 ± 0.4%. Conclusions: In an animal model of atherosclerosis, MDCT accurately documented serial changes in aortic plaque burden, demonstrating good correlation and agreement with MRI-derived measurements and low interobserver variability.
AB - Assessment of changes in plaque volume is increasingly used as a surrogate-endpoint in clinical trials testing the efficacy of anti-atherosclerotic interventions. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) can detect and quantify non-calcified atherosclerotic plaques, but its ability to monitor changes in plaque volume has not yet been tested. We sought to test the ability of MDCT to detect and quantify serial changes in atheroma burden in comparison with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Rabbits (n = 12) with experimentally induced abdominal atherosclerosis were randomized to receive a plaque-regressing agent (recombinant apoA-IMilano, n = 8) or placebo (n = 4). All animals underwent two 64-slice MDCT angiography and MRI studies (pre- and post-treatment). The primary endpoint was the change in plaque burden (defined as vessel wall volume in the 5 cm distal to the left renal artery) between pre- and post-treatment MDCT in comparison with MRI. Results: MDCT detected a significant decrease in plaque burden caused by recombinant apoA-IMilano (464 [423-535] to 405 [363-435] mm3, p = 0.03) that was confirmed by MRI (324 [286-412] to 298 [282-399] mm3, p = 0.03). No significant effect was noted in the placebo group either by MDCT or MRI. There were strong correlations between both modalities for the quantification of plaque burden (r = 0.750, p < 0.001) and change in plaque burden (r = 0.657, p = 0.020). MDCT overestimated plaque burden compared to MRI. On MDCT, the mean interobserver variability for plaque burden was 2.5 ± 0.4%. Conclusions: In an animal model of atherosclerosis, MDCT accurately documented serial changes in aortic plaque burden, demonstrating good correlation and agreement with MRI-derived measurements and low interobserver variability.
KW - Atherosclerosis
KW - MDCT
KW - Magnetic resonance imaging
KW - Plaque
KW - Plaque regression
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U2 - 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2008.03.019
DO - 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2008.03.019
M3 - Article
C2 - 18466906
AN - SCOPUS:57649222079
SN - 0021-9150
VL - 202
SP - 185
EP - 191
JO - Atherosclerosis
JF - Atherosclerosis
IS - 1
ER -