MSCT in assessment of correlation between aortic elasticity and coronary artery plaques

Objective To assess the correlation between aortic elasticity and coronary artery plaques using MSCT. Methods One hundred and fifty-two patients who underwent retrospective ECG-gated CT angiography in our hospital were divided into control group (n=60), non-calcified plaque group (n=18), calcified plaque group (43) and mixed plaque group (n=31). Their images were reconstructed when the 10% R-R interval of CT primary data was 5%-95% R-R. The cross-sectional area of ascending aorta at about 15 mm above the coronary orifice and aortic elasticity were measured using the coronary analysis software at the ADW4.5 station. Two weeks after CT, the longest and shortest inner diameters of aorta and the cross-sectional area of aorta in control group were measured. The blood pressure of patients was measured after CT and ultrasonography. The aortic elasticity (10^-5/Pa) was calculated and compared. Results The aortic elasticity was lower in calcified plaque group and mix plaque group 1.829±0.466(10^-5/Pa) vs 3.122±0.782 (10^-5/Pa), 1.718±0.412 (10^-5/Pa) vs 3.122±0.782 (10^-5/Pa), P＜ 0.001. However, no significant difference was found between non-calcified plaque group and control group 2.834±0.433 (10^-5/Pa) vs 3.122±0.782 (10^-5/Pa), P=0.254. The CT angiography was well correlated with the aortic elasticity (ICC=0.997, P＜ 0.000 1). Conclusion MSCT can assess the aortic elasticity which decreases in the presence of calcified and mixed plaques, but not in the presence of non-calcified plaques.