Commentary on myocardial CT perfusion imaging and atherosclerotic plaque characteristics on coronary CT angiography for the identification of myocardial ischaemia

Information about both luminal stenoses and their physiological significance is important in guiding revascularisation, but cannot be the whole story in coronary disease. Prognosis is principally determined by the risk of acute myocardial infarction, when an atheromatous plaque becomes unstable and triggers coronary thrombosis. Obstructive plaques are more vulnerable than non-obstructive ones, but the overall burden of the latter is so much greater that they account for the majority of events; however, certain adverse plaque characteristics on imaging predict an increased risk.
Source: Clinical Radiology - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Commentary Source Type: research