Coronary Plaque Imaging and Fractional Flow Reserve Analysis in Computed Tomography Angiography

Selin ARDALI DÜZGÜNa , Tuncay HAZIROLANa
aHacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Ankara, Türkiye

Ardalı Düzgün S, Hazırolan T. Coronary plaque imaging and fractional flow reserve analysis in computed tomography angiography. In: Bayraktaroğlu S, ed. Advances in Cardiovascular System Imaging. 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2024. p.17-23.

ABSTRACT
Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) plays a crucial role in evaluating coronary artery disease (CAD) offering high diagnostic accuracy and a high negative predictive value. Besides stenosis assessment, unlike invasive angiography, CCTA can also assess plaque burden and composition and identify high-risk plaque features that are critical for risk stratification. Advances in quantitative plaque analysis (QPA) have provided insights into plaque progression and inflammation, aiding in identifying high-risk patients and evaluating treatment response. The use of fractional flow reserve computed tomography (FFR-CT) enhances the diagnostic and prognostic value of CCTA, assisting in the detection of hemodynamically significant lesions. This review highlights the utility of CCTA in coronary plaque imaging including functional assessment with FFR-CT.

Keywords: Coronary artery disease; plaque, atherosclerotic; computed tomography angiography; fractional flow reserve, myocardial

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