Potential Application of Cardiac Computed Tomography for Early Detection of Coronary Atherosclerosis: From Calcium Score to Advanced Atherosclerosis Analysis.
Edoardo ConteSaima MushtaqDavide MarchettiVincenzo MalliaMarta BelmonteEleonora MelottiGianluca PontoneEugenio PicanoDaniele AndreiniPublished in: Journal of clinical medicine (2021)
In the present article, an overview of advanced analysis of coronary atherosclerosis by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is provided, focusing on the potential application of this technique in a primary prevention setting. Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) has a well-demonstrated prognostic value even in a primary prevention setting; however, fibro-fatty, high-risk coronary plaque may be missed by this tool. On the contrary, even if not recommended for primary prevention in the general population, CCTA may enable early high-risk atherosclerosis detection, and specific subgroups of patients may benefit from its application. However, further studies are needed to determine the possible use of CCTA in a primary prevention setting.
Keyphrases
- coronary artery
- coronary artery disease
- pulmonary artery
- cardiovascular disease
- computed tomography
- ejection fraction
- aortic stenosis
- newly diagnosed
- magnetic resonance imaging
- positron emission tomography
- prognostic factors
- heart failure
- risk assessment
- climate change
- atrial fibrillation
- contrast enhanced
- patient reported