The Vulnerable Plaque: Recent Advances in Computed Tomography Imaging to Identify the Vulnerable Patient

Faheemullah Beg, Hasan Rehman, Mouaz H. Al-Mallah

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of Review: This review aims to summarize the role of coronary computed tomography plaque analysis in identifying high-risk patients and plaques. Recent Findings: In this review, we will describe the histopathological features of a vulnerable plaque as well as the coronary computed tomography characteristics including spotty calcification, low-attenuation fatty core, positive remodeling, and thin fibrous cap. We will also review several studies that assessed features of a vulnerable plaque on non-invasive imaging and evaluated them as risk predictors of future acute coronary events. Summary: Multiple recent studies suggested that coronary computed tomography angiography can accurately identify high-risk features of plaque that will predict future events.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number58
JournalCurrent Atherosclerosis Reports
Volume22
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2020

Keywords

  • Acute coronary syndrome
  • Coronary computed tomography
  • Plaque

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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