RESUMO
To investigate the accuracy of 64-row MDCT to analyze and quantify coronary arterial plaques in patients presented with acute coronary syndrome [ACS]. Between April 2010 and December 2013, 50 patients presented with acute cardiac chest pain were categorized into 2 groups according to their diagnosis based on clinical evaluation, ECG findings and cardiac biomarkers; group A including patients with ACS and group B including patients with stable angina [SA]. Both groups underwent 64-row multidetector CT [MDCT] coronary arterial imaging. For each plaque, stenosis percentage was evaluated and the plaque was quantified using software [Sureplaque[registered]] based on the density [HU] and percentage of its individual components including lipid, soft tissue, and calcium density. Of the 50 patients; 24 and 26 were grouped into groups A and B respectively. The mean value of stenosis percent of the proximal and middle coronary segments of group A patients = 77.2% +/- 10.2% - 90.5% +/- 58.4% and 79.5% +/- 9.1% - 85.25% +/- 11% respectively, while in group B = 54.1% +/- 12.1% - 65.2% +/- 18.4% and 53.3% +/- 1.5% - 68.6% +/- 11.7% respectively [p=0.00-0.001]. Quantification showed a mean value of lipid content percentage of group A = 15.4% +/- 0.8% - 47.7% +/- 19.2%, while in group B = 7.2% +/- 5.5% - 10.3% +/- 8.2% [p=0.008-0.001]. The mean value of soft tissue content percentage in group A = 15.4% +/- 0.8% - 47.7% +/- 19.2%, while in group B = 7.2% +/- 5.5% - 10.3% +/- 8.2%. The calcification content percentage in group A = 18% +/- 8.7% - 35.1% +/- 16%, while in group B = 66.4% +/- 13.8% - 76.7% +/- 16.5%. 64-row MDCT angiographic quantification software provides a good basis for the future attempts of proper risk stratification of patients with coronary artery disease especially those liable for developing ACS