Role of Non-Invasive CT Angiography in Improving Risk Stratification for Patients with Coronary Artery Diseases: A Retrospective Study

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has become an effective tool for noninvasive evaluation of coronary artery plaque characteristics. The objective of this study was to identify both “culprit” and “stable” coronary lesions by CCTA, aiming to improve risk stratification in patients who had coronary artery disease (CAD).
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Ibn Al-Nafees cardiac center in Baghdad on 40 patients who had conventional percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) angiography within 4-10 days after CCTA. We traced the hospital records of these patients. One-way ANOVA test was applied to measure relevant variables (Plaque Area, Lumen Area and Remodeling Index).
Results: Our results show that culprit unstable lesions in patients with ACS (n=14) had more plaque area and a better remodeling index (RI) than each stable lesions in patients with ACS (n=13) and in patients with SA (n=13), showing plaque area as follows; (15.2 ± 2.2 mm2 VS. 9.1 ± 4.8 mm2 VS. 13.5 ± 10.7 mm2) p= 0.020; and RI (1.4 ± 0.2, 1.0 ± 0.4, 1.2 ± 0.3) p= 0.040, respectively.
Conclusion: Our statistics advocate that noninvasive visualization of coronary atherosclerotic plaque through CCTA may enhance hazard stratification of sufferers with suspected CAD.