Role of multislice CT in assessment of coronary artery remodeling

Abstract

Coronary arterial remodeling described changes of vessel size at the site of atherosclerotic lesions. Positive remodeling of early lesions maintained lumen size despite plaque accumulation. (Schoenhagen et al, 2003) This work was performed upon 35 cases already requested by their physician to perform MSCT coronary angiography, some of them had variable coronary risk factors, others had no identifiable risk factors yet, they had coronary symptoms. Manual inspection, in both cross-section and longitudinal reconstruction, was used for defining the remodeling index (lesion diameter/reference diameter). The remodeling index on MSCT is calculated and reported as positive remodeling if more than 1. (Kroner et al, 2011) Two comparative groups were mad, depending upon the remodeling index value dividing all cases into who were below 1.5 and who were above 1.5. It was found that local coronary endothelial function was inversely related to local positive arterial remodeling in patients with non obstructive CAD. (Hays et al, 2012) Prior studies have shown a complex interrelationship between risk factors and coronary artery remodeling. Cardiovascular risk factors have been suggested as predictive of the degree of arterial remodeling, but with some conflicting results. (Worthley et al, 2006)