• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.518-539
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• 2024

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a pivotal tool for diagnosing and risk-stratifying patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Recent advancements in image analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have enabled the comprehensive quantitative analysis of coronary atherosclerosis. Fully quantitative assessments of coronary stenosis and lumen attenuation have improved the accuracy of assessing stenosis severity and predicting hemodynamically significant lesions. In addition to stenosis evaluation, quantitative plaque analysis plays a crucial role in predicting and monitoring CAD progression. Studies have demonstrated that the quantitative assessment of plaque subtypes based on CT attenuation provides a nuanced understanding of plaque characteristics and their association with cardiovascular events. Quantitative analysis of serial CCTA scans offers a unique perspective on the impact of medical therapies on plaque modification. However, challenges such as time-intensive analyses and variability in software platforms still need to be addressed for broader clinical implementation. The paradigm of CCTA has shifted towards comprehensive quantitative plaque analysis facilitated by technological advancements. As these methods continue to evolve, their integration into routine clinical practice has the potential to enhance risk assessment and guide individualized patient management. This article reviews the evolving landscape of quantitative plaque analysis in CCTA and explores its applications and limitations.

• 대한핵의학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.165-176
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• 1991

The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of quantitative Tl-201 tomography to identify and localize coronary artery disease (CAD). The study population consisted of 41 patients (31 males, 10 females; mean age $55{\pm}7$ yr) including 14 with prior myocardial infarction who underwent both exercise Tl-201 myocardium SPECT and coronary angiography for the evaluation of chest pain. From the short axis and vertical long axis tomograms, stress extent polar maps were generated by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center program, and the % stress defect extent (SDE) was quantified for each coronary artery territory. For the purpose of this study, the coronary circulation was divided into 6 arterial segments, and the "myocardial ischemic score" (MIS) was calculated from the coronary angiogram. Sensitivity for the detection of CAD ($\geq50%$ coronary stenosis by angiography) by angiography) by stress extent polar map was 95% in single vessel disease, and 100% in double and triple vessel deseases. Overall sensitivity was 97%. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of individual diseased vessels were, respectively, 87% and 90% for the left anterior descending artery (LAD), 36% and 93% for the left circumflex artery (LCX), and 71% and 70% for the right coronary artery (RCA). Concordance for the detection of individual diseased vessels between the coronary angiography and stress polar map was fair for the LAD (kappa=0.70), and RCA (kappa=0.41) lesions, whereas it was poor for the LCX lesions (kappa : 0.32). There were siginificant correlations between the MIS and SDE in LAD (rs=0.56, p=0.0027), and RCA territory (rs=0.60, p=0.0094). No significant correlation was found in LCX territory. When total vascular territories were combined, there was a significant correlation between the MIS and SDE (rs=0.42, p=0.0116). In conclusion, the quantitative analysis of Tl-201 tomograms appears to be accurate for determining the presence and location of CAD.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제48권12호
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• pp.1120-1130
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• 2018

Background and Objectives: Feasibility of coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) via left snuffbox approach is still concerned. We aimed to investigate efficacy and safety of the left snuffbox approach for CAG and PCI. Methods: Left snuffbox approach was tried in 150 patients who planned to perform CAG or PCI for suspected myocardial ischemia between 1 November 2017 and 31 March 2018. Results: Success rate of radial artery (RA) cannulation via snuffbox approach was 88.0% (n=132). Among 132 individuals, 58 (43.9%) acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients were included. The diameter of snuffbox RA was significantly smaller than conventional RA (2.57 mm vs. 2.72 mm, p<0.001) from quantitative computed angiography of 101 patients. However, CAG via snuffbox approach by 6 French sheath was successfully performed in all 132 patients. In addition, there was significant correlation between the snuffbox and conventional RA diameter (r=0.856, p<0.001). In 42 PCI cases, including 25 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the success rate of PCI via snuffbox approach was 97.6% (n=41). Intravascular imaging-guided PCI was performed in 8 (19.5%) patients and multi-vessel PCI in 4 (9.8%) cases. Regarding vascular complication, forearm swelling with bruising, not requiring surgery or transfusion, occurred in 2 (4.9%) PCI cases. Conclusions: Left snuffbox approach is suitable for CAG and PCI compared with the conventional radial approach.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.69-78
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• 2009

연구배경 및 목적 : 심혈관 질환은 서구에서는 이미 오래전부터 가장 흔한 사망 원인으로 알려져 있고, 우리나라를 포함한 동양에서는 최근 식생활 습관의 변화와 함께 급격히 증가하는 추세에 있다. 특히 허혈성 심장질환은 통계청 curve : 곡선 $1996{\sim}2006$을 보면 향후 $5{\sim}10$년 사이 허혈성 심장질환이 1위로 올라 갈 것으로 전망할 수 있다. 이에 보다 정확하고 정밀한 선별검사가 필요함을 인식할 수 있겠다. 목적은 Calcium-scoring의 총 정량화수치에 영향을 주는 위험인자와의 연관성을 알아보고, Calciumscoring이 선별검사로의 타당성을 검증하며, 국민보건에 이바지 하고자 한다. 연구방법 및 결과 : 인천광역시에 위치한 G병원으로 2008년 2월 1일부터 6월 30일까지 가슴 흉통으로 내원한 환자 중 Calcium-scoring과 Coronary CT angiography를 동시에 시행한 환자 중 무작위 표본추출로 70명을 선정 하였으며, Calcium-scoring t value에 영향을 주는 것으로 알려진 위험인자를 각각의 연관성을 분석한 결과 고지혈증, 고혈압이 유의수준 $\alpha$ < 0.05하에서 Calcium-scoring t value를 높임을 알 수 있었고, Calcium-scoring t value를 Coronary CT angiography 결과와 비교분석 한 결과 관상동맥 석회화 수치는 관상동맥 내의 동맥경화와의 총량과 상관관계가 높다는 결과를 얻을 수 있었고, Coronary CT angiography result를 확진검사로 ROC curve를 분석한 결과 Area의 크기가 0.833으로 우수한 검사법이라 할 수 있고, Asymptotic 95% Confidence interval Low Bound와 Upper Bound가 모두 0.5 이상이며, Asymptotic Sig.(p)가 0.05보다 작으므로 유용한 검사법임을 알 수 있었다. 결 론 : Calcium-scoring검사가 허혈성 심혈관 질환의 다른 선별검사인 심전도와 운동부하검사 등과 더불어 선별검사로서 손색이 없으며, 운동부하검사의 제한점인 관절 질환을 앓고 있거나, 고령 등의 원인으로 운동이 어려운 경우에는 시행하기 어려운 점을 해결할 수 있는 우수한 선별검사라고 할 수 있겠다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권11호
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• pp.1081-1092
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• 2023

Objective: To investigate the incidence of microvascular myocardial ischemia in diabetic patients without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and its relationship with angina. Materials and Methods: Diabetic patients and an intermediate-to-high pretest probability of CAD were prospectively enrolled. Non-diabetic patients but with an intermediate-to-high pretest probability of CAD were retrospectively included as controls. The patients underwent dynamic computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging (CT-MPI) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to quantify coronary stenosis, myocardial blood flow (MBF), and extracellular volume (ECV). The proportion of patients with microvascular myocardial ischemia, defined as any myocardial segment with a mean MBF ≤ of 100 mL/min/100 mL, in patients without obstructive CAD (Coronary Artery Disease-Reporting and Data System [CAD-RADS] grade 0-2 on CCTA) was determined. Various quantitative parameters of the patients with and without diabetes without obstructive CAD were compared. Multivariable analysis was used to determine the association between microvascular myocardial ischemia and angina symptoms in diabetic patients without obstructive CAD. Results: One hundred and fifty-two diabetic patients (mean age: 59.7 ± 10.7; 77 males) and 266 non-diabetic patients (62.0 ± 12.3; 167 males) were enrolled; CCTA revealed 113 and 155 patients without obstructive CAD, respectively. For patients without obstructive CAD, the mean global MBF was significantly lower for those with diabetes than for those without (152.8 mL/min/100 mL vs. 170.4 mL/min/100 mL, P < 0.001). The mean ECV was significantly higher for diabetic patients (27.2% vs. 25.8%, P = 0.009). Among the patients without obstructive CAD, the incidence of microvascular myocardial ischemia (36.3% [41/113] vs. 10.3% [16/155], P < 0.001) and interstitial fibrosis (69.9% [79/113] vs. 33.3% [8/24], P = 0.001) were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in the controls. The presence of microvascular myocardial ischemia was independently associated with angina symptoms (adjusted odds ratio = 3.439, P = 0.037) in diabetic patients but without obstructive CAD. Conclusion: Dynamic CT-MPI + CCTA revealed a high incidence of microvascular myocardial ischemia in diabetic patients without obstructive CAD. Microvascular myocardial ischemia is strongly associated with angina.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.283-294
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) shares pathophysiological properties with other visceral fats and potentially triggers local inflammation. However, the association of EAT with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still debatable. The study aimed to observe the changes and associations in EAT and risk factors over time, as well as to investigate whether EAT was associated with CVD. Methods: A total of 762 participants from Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) and SNUH Gangnam Center were included in this study. EAT was measured using coronary computed tomography angiography. Results: Baseline EAT level was positively associated with body mass index (BMI), calcium score, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) 10-year risk score, glucose, triglycerides (TG)/high-density lipoprotein (HDL), but not with total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL). At follow-up, EAT levels increased in all groups, with low EAT groups demonstrating a significant increase in EAT per year. Change in EAT was associated with a change in BMI, TG/HDL, and glucose, while changes in LDL, calcium score, and ASCVD 10-year risk score were not associated. Although calcium score and ASCVD 10-year risk score were associated with CVD events, baseline information of EAT, baseline EAT/body surface area, or EAT change was not available. Conclusions: Metabolic risks, e.g., BMI, TG/HDL, and glucose, were associated with EAT change per year, whereas classical CVD risks, e.g., LDL, calcium score, and ASCVD 10-year risk score, were not. The actual CVD event was not associated with EAT volume, warranting future studies combining qualitative assessments with quantitative ones.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제23권11호
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• pp.1044-1054
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether a deep learning reconstruction (DLR) method improves the image quality, stent evaluation, and visibility of the valve apparatus in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) when compared with filtered back projection (FBP) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR) methods. Materials and Methods: CCTA images of 51 patients (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 63.9 ± 9.8 years, 36 male) who underwent examination at a single institution were reconstructed using DLR, FBP, and hybrid IR methods and reviewed. CT attenuation, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and stent evaluation, including 10%-90% edge rise slope (ERS) and 10%-90% edge rise distance (ERD), were measured. Quantitative data are summarized as the mean ± SD. The subjective visual scores (1 for worst -5 for best) of the images were obtained for the following: overall image quality, image noise, and appearance of stent, vessel, and aortic and tricuspid valve apparatus (annulus, leaflets, papillary muscles, and chordae tendineae). These parameters were compared between the DLR, FBP, and hybrid IR methods. Results: DLR provided higher Hounsfield unit (HU) values in the aorta and similar attenuation in the fat and muscle compared with FBP and hybrid IR. The image noise in HU was significantly lower in DLR (12.6 ± 2.2) than in hybrid IR (24.2 ± 3.0) and FBP (54.2 ± 9.5) (p < 0.001). The SNR and CNR were significantly higher in the DLR group than in the FBP and hybrid IR groups (p < 0.001). In the coronary stent, the mean value of ERS was significantly higher in DLR (1260.4 ± 242.5 HU/mm) than that of FBP (801.9 ± 170.7 HU/mm) and hybrid IR (641.9 ± 112.0 HU/mm). The mean value of ERD was measured as 0.8 ± 0.1 mm for DLR while it was 1.1 ± 0.2 mm for FBP and 1.1 ± 0.2 mm for hybrid IR. The subjective visual scores were higher in the DLR than in the images reconstructed with FBP and hybrid IR. Conclusion: DLR reconstruction provided better images than FBP and hybrid IR reconstruction.

• 대한핵의학회지
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.288-297
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• 2002

목적: 심근 SPECT 영상의 재구성 과정에 감쇠보정, 산란보정 및 해상도복원 시스템(ASCRR)이 적용되었을 때 관상동맥질환 진단의 진단능 변화를 정량적 심근 SPECT에서 조사하였다. 대상 및 방법: 관상동맥질환이 의심되는 환자 75명과 관상동맥질환 저위험군 20명의 환자에 대하여 휴식기 Tl-201/부하기 Tc-99m-MIBI 게이트 심근 SPECT를 시행한 후, ASCRR을 적용하여 적용 전후의 예민도 및 특이도와 정상검출율의 변화를 구하였다. 결과: ASCRR 적용 후, 전반적인 진단능에는 유의한 변화가 없었다. 혈관 영역 별로는 좌전하행동맥(LAD)이나 좌회선동맥(LCX) 영역의 병변에서는 유의한 차이는 없었고, 우측관상동맥(RCA) 영역의 병변을 진단하는 데 있어서는 ASCRR의 적용 후 특이도는 유의하게 향상되었지만, 이와 더불어 예민도는 유의하게 감소되었다(모두 p<0.05). 정상검출율은 좌전하행동맥(LAD) 영역과 좌회선동맥(LCX) 영역에서는 ASCRR 적용 전후에 유의한 차이가 없었고, 우측관상동맥(RCA) 영역에서만 유의한 증가를 보여, 전반적으로는 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결론: 심근 SPECT에서 감쇠보정 및 산란교정, 그리고 해상도복원시스템의 적용은 관상동맥질환의 진단에 있어서 우측관상동맥(RCA) 영역의 정상검출율 및 특이도는 증가시키지만, 전반적인 진단능은 향상시키지 못한다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.621-630
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• 2019

Objective: To study the prevalence and clinical characteristics of decreased myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantified by dynamic computed tomography (CT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in symptomatic patients without in-stent restenosis. Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven (mean age, 71.3 ± 10 years; age range, 48-88 years; 31 males, 6 females) consecutive symptomatic patients with patent coronary stents and without obstructive de novo lesions were prospectively enrolled to undergo dynamic CT-MPI using a third-generation dual-source CT scanner. The shuttle-mode acquisition technique was used to image the complete left ventricle. A bolus of contrast media (50 mL; iopromide, 370 mg iodine/mL) was injected into the antecubital vein at a rate of 6 mL/s, followed by a 40-mL saline flush. The mean MBF value and other quantitative parameters were measured for each segment of both stented-vessel territories and reference territories. The MBF_ratio was defined as the ratio of the mean MBF value of the whole stent-vessel territory to that of the whole reference territory. An MBF_ratio of 0.85 was used as the cut-off value to distinguish hypoperfused from non-hypoperfused segments. Results: A total of 629 segments of 37 patients were ultimately included for analysis. The mean effective dose of dynamic CT-MPI was 3.1 ± 1.2 mSv (range, 1.7-6.3 mSv). The mean MBF of stent-vessel territories was decreased in 19 lesions and 81 segments. Compared to stent-vessel territories without hypoperfusion, the mean MBF and myocardial blood volume were markedly lower in hypoperfused stent-vessel territories (77.5 ± 16.6 mL/100 mL/min vs. 140.4 ± 24.1 mL/100 mL/min [p < 0.001] and 6.4 ± 3.7 mL/100 mL vs. 11.5 ± 4 mL/100 mL [p < 0.001, respectively]). Myocardial hypoperfusion in stentvessel territories was present in 48.6% (18/37) of patients. None of clinical parameters differed statistically significantly between hypoperfusion and non-hypoperfusion subgroups. Conclusion: Decreased MBF is commonly present in patients who are symptomatic after percutaneous coronary intervention, despite patent stents and can be detected by dynamic CT-MPI using a low radiation dose.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.289-300
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• 1995

지금까지는 혈관의 중심선을 구해서 혈관의 직경을 측정해 왔다. 혈관의 중심선을 구하는 방법은 2가지가 보고되어 있는데 그중 하나는 maunal로 중심선을 찾는 observer-defined 방법이다. 이 방법을 사용자에 따라 변화할 가능성이 잠재한다, 또 다른 방법은 자동으로 혈관의 중심을 찾아내는 것인데 대단히 복잡하다. 이 논문에서, 중심선을 찾지 않고 방향코드와 위치정보를 이용하여 직경을 구하는 새로운 방법을 제안한다. 이 방법은 경계선과 방향코드를 동시에 검출하기 때문에 절차가 간단해지고 처리속도도 빨라진다. 중앙선을 이용하여 자동으로 혈관직경을 구하는 방법과 비교해보면, 가지가 있거나 장애가 있는 혈관 이미지에 있어서 정확도가 개선된다. 또한 방향 코드는 3비트로 코드화되기 때문에 혈관정보를 압축 저장하는데 용이하다. 이 방법은 실험을 통하여 유용성이 있음을 확인하였다.