Relationship between degree of remodeling and CT attenuation of plaque in coronary atherosclerotic lesions: An in-vivo analysis by multi-detector computed tomography

Multi-detector CT (MDCT) permits non-invasive visualization of the coronary arteries. Coronary plaque can be visualized, and earlier studies have indicated that the CT attenuation measured in atherosclerotic plaques is influenced by plaque composition. Also, MDCT has been shown to permit assessment of remodeling of coronary atherosclerotic lesions. It is assumed that both lipid-rich plaques and those that display positive remodeling are more prone to rupture and erosion. We thus evaluated the relationship between remodeling and CT attenuation of coronary atherosclerotic plaque by MDCT.