Detection of Calcified Aortic Plaques in an Apolipoprotein E Animal Model Using a Human Computed Tomography System for Ultra–High-resolution Imaging: A Feasibility Study

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the feasibility of detecting calcified aortic plaques in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-KO) mice using a state-of-the-art human computed tomography (CT) system.
Materials and Methods:
Eleven ApoE-KO and 9 wild-type mice, all male, were examined in this study. After intraperitoneal injection of 6.6% ketamine all mice underwent 2 ultra–high-resolution CT protocols on a third-generation dual-source CT system at 120 kVp and 130 kVp tube voltage, both performed with a tube current time product of 1300 mAs. Images (0.4 mm) with an increment of 0.2 mm were reconstructed using an iterative reconstruction algorithm. Calcium detectability and scores (Agatston, volume, mass) were determined with a dedicated human calcium scoring software (CaScoring). After the CT examination, a calcium quantification assay of the aortae was performed to determine the aortic calcium content of each mouse. The CT scan time ranged between 40 and 48 seconds. All mice survived the procedure.
Results:
Calcified plaques could be detected in 8 of 11 ApoE-KO mice. Quantification of calcium levels showed significant differences between those with morphologic calcium plaques detected in CT and those without (3.44±1.6 μg Ca2+/mg vs. 0.33±0.35 μg Ca2+/mg; P

Source: Journal of Thoracic Imaging - December 19, 2018 Category: Radiology Tags: Imaging in Cardiac Risk Prediction Source Type: research