Diagnostic accuracy of virtual non-contrast CT for aortic valve stenosis severity evaluation

Daniel Lorenzatti, Pamela Piña, Jonathan Daich, Andrea Scotti, Javier Perez-Cervera, Rita Miranda, Ari J. Feinberg, Sandra S. Halliburton, Thomas B. Ivanc, Aldo L. Schenone, Toshiki Kuno, Azeem Latib, Damini Dey, Philippe Pibarot, Marc R. Dweck, Mario J. Garcia, Leandro Slipczuk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Computed tomography aortic valve calcium (AVC) score has accepted value for diagnosing and predicting outcomes in aortic stenosis (AS). Multi-energy CT (MECT) allows virtual non-contrast (VNC) reconstructions from contrast scans. We aim to compare the VNC-AVC score to the true non-contrast (TNC)-AVC score for assessing AS severity. Methods: We prospectively included patients undergoing a MECT for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) planning. TNC-AVC was acquired before contrast, and VNC-AVC was derived from a retrospectively gated contrast-enhanced scan. The Agatston scoring method was used for quantification, and linear regression analysis to derive adjusted-VNC values. Results: Among 109 patients (55% female) included, 43% had concordant severe and 14% concordant moderate AS. TNC scan median dose-length product was 116 ​mGy∗cm. The median TNC-AVC was 2,107 AU (1,093–3,372), while VNC-AVC was 1,835 AU (1293-2,972) after applying the coefficient (1.46) and constant (743) terms. A strong correlation was demonstrated between methods (r ​= ​0.93; p ​< ​0.001). Using accepted thresholds (>1,300 AU for women and >2,000 AU for men), 65% (n ​= ​71) of patients had severe AS by TNC-AVC and 67% (n ​= ​73) by adjusted-VNC-AVC. After estimating thresholds for adjusted-VNC (>1,564 AU for women and >2,375 AU for men), 56% (n ​= ​61) had severe AS, demonstrating substantial agreement with TNC-AVC (κ ​= ​0.77). Conclusions: MECT-derived VNC-AVC showed a strong correlation with TNC-AVC. After adjustment, VNC-AVC demonstrated substantial agreement with TNC-AVC, potentially eliminating the requirement for an additional scan and enabling reductions in both radiation exposure and acquisition time.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)50-55
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2024

Keywords

  • Aortic stenosis
  • Calcium score
  • Dual-energy CT
  • Multi-energy CT
  • Spectral CT
  • Transcatheter aortic valve replacement
  • Virtual non-contrast

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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