Effects of low-tube voltage coronary CT angiography on plaque and pericoronary fat assessment: intraindividual comparison

Yao Pan; Yaqi Gao; Zhaoqian Wang; Yana Dou; Xixia Sun; Zhiqiang Yang; Shuang Pan; Chongfu Jia

doi:10.1007/s00330-024-10648-0

Effects of low-tube voltage coronary CT angiography on plaque and pericoronary fat assessment: intraindividual comparison

Eur Radiol. 2024 Mar 11. doi: 10.1007/s00330-024-10648-0. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yao Pan¹, Yaqi Gao¹, Zhaoqian Wang¹, Yana Dou², Xixia Sun¹, Zhiqiang Yang¹, Shuang Pan¹, Chongfu Jia³

Affiliations

¹ The Department of Cardiovascular Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 222, Zhong Shan Road, Dalian, Liaoning, 116011, China.
² Siemens Healthineers Ltd, No. 7, Wangjing Zhonghuan South Road, Beijing, 100102, China.
³ The Department of Cardiovascular Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 222, Zhong Shan Road, Dalian, Liaoning, 116011, China. chongfujia@sina.com.

PMID: 38466391
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-024-10648-0

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effects of low tube voltage on coronary plaques and pericoronary fat assessment, and to compare their extent among various levels of low voltage.

Materials and methods: Patients were recommended for high-pitch low-tube voltage coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and they were included if they had poor image quality and were referred to a conventional CCTA. The patients were classified into a low-voltage group (with 70-kV, 80-kV, and 90-kV subgroups) and a conventional group (100/120 kV). Their total plaque and subcomponent volumes and pericoronary fat attenuation index (FAI) were measured.

Results: A total of 1002 image slices (from 65 patients and 74 plaques) were included, including 21, 31, 13, 4, and 61 patients in the 70-kV, 80-kV, 90-kV, 100-kV, and 120-kV groups respectively. The CT values of noncalcified plaques in the conventional and low-voltage groups were 54.6 ± 21.3 HU and 31.5 ± 22.6 HU, respectively (p < 0.05). Compared with the conventional group, the necrotic core and calcification volume were increased, and the fibrolipid volume, periplaque, and right coronary artery FAI were decreased in the low-voltage group and its subgroups (p < 0.001). The magnitude of changes in fibrous and calcification volumes increased in the 70-kV subgroup compared with that in the 90-kV subgroup (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Low tube voltages, particularly of 70 kV, have a significant effect on coronary plaque and FAI. The effect of low voltage on plaque composition is characterized by a polarization pattern, i.e., a decrease in fibrolipid (medium density) and an increase in necrotic core (low density) and calcification (high density).

Clinical relevance statement: Our results highlight the comparability and repeatability of plaque and pericoronary fat assessments facilitated by the same or a similar tube voltage. It is necessary to carry out studies on the specificity threshold of low tube voltage at each level.

Key points: • Low tube voltage had a significant effect on coronary plaque and pericoronary fat, particularly 70 kV. • The effect of low tube voltage on plaque composition shows the shift from medium-density mixed components to low- and high-density components. • It is necessary to correct the specificity threshold or attenuation difference for low tube voltage at each level.

Keywords: Adipose tissue; Atherosclerosis; Computed tomography angiography; Plaque.