New method of measuring coronary diameter by electron-beam computed tomographic angiography using adjusted thresholds determined by calibration with aortic opacity

Background: In a previous study the adjusted thresholds at which the diameters of coronary arteries determined by enhanced electron-beam computed tomography (CT) scans are equal to the corresponding quantitative coronary angiography measurements were analyzed, and their correlation with maximum CT values for the vessel short axes was determined. A rapid accurate method for such measurements was sought by substituting maximum CT values for the descending aorta in the corresponding axial images for those for the short axes. Methods and Results: In 8 patients, 179 sites were measured. Means (±SD) of adjusted thresholds and the maximum CT values for vessel short axes and the descending aorta in the corresponding axial images for all vessels were 108±66, 227±80, and 363±75 Hounsfield Unit (HU), respectively. Adjusted thresholds correlated with the maximum CT values for the corresponding vessel short axes and the descending aorta in the corresponding axial images, with R²=0.55, 0.33, p<0.01, respectively. An abbreviated formula for use of maximum CT values for the descending aorta in the corresponding axial images was y=0.5x-75 (HU) (y=adjusted threshold, x=maximum CT value for the descending aorta in the corresponding axial image). Conclusions: The abbreviated formula provided a rapid, accurate method for measurements independent of arterial enhancement.