Subtraction fractional flow reserve with computed tomography and pericoronary fat attenuation index enhances the identification of revascularization needs in patients

Abstract Background Fractional flow reserve with computed tomography (FFR-CT) is influenced by calcified plaque artifacts, which can reduce its accuracy in predicting myocardial ischemia. Subtraction techniques can mitigate these artifacts, thereby enhancing diagnostic precision. However, the potent...

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Main Authors: Tingting Zhu, Yanhui Li, Yujin Wang, Hanxiong Guan, Qian Li, Defu Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Medical Imaging
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12880-025-01874-z
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author Tingting Zhu
Yanhui Li
Yujin Wang
Hanxiong Guan
Qian Li
Defu Li
author_facet Tingting Zhu
Yanhui Li
Yujin Wang
Hanxiong Guan
Qian Li
Defu Li
author_sort Tingting Zhu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Fractional flow reserve with computed tomography (FFR-CT) is influenced by calcified plaque artifacts, which can reduce its accuracy in predicting myocardial ischemia. Subtraction techniques can mitigate these artifacts, thereby enhancing diagnostic precision. However, the potential of subtraction FFR-CT and the pericoronary fat attenuation index (FAI) to improve the prediction of revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of FFR-CT and pericoronary FAI in identifying the need for revascularization in patients with CAD. Methods We retrospectively analyzed coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) data from 76 patients with CAD (142 branches) using both conventional and subtraction CCTA images. The diagnostic performance of FFR-CT and FAI in identifying revascularization needs was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Results Among the 76 patients, 54 underwent revascularization. Patients who underwent revascularization had higher pericoronary FAI and lower FFR-CT values. Subtraction FFR-CT values were higher than those obtained using conventional methods. Models 4 (subtraction CCTA), 5 (Model 4 + subtraction FFR-CT), and 6 (Model 5 + subtraction FAI) showed significantly better diagnostic efficacy for revascularization needs than compared to the Models 1 (conventional CCTA), 2 (Model 1 + conventional FFR-CT), and 3 (Model 2 + conventional FAI) (all p < 0.05). In the subtraction models, Model 6 and 5 were significantly more effective than Models 4 (all p < 0.05). Additionally, when clinical variables (male, age, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and smoking) were incorporated into Models 3 and 6, the resulting Models 7 and 8 performed significantly better than Model 3 (all p < 0.05). Conclusion Subtraction techniques have significantly improved the efficacy of CCTA with FFR-CT in assessing the need for revascularization in patients with CAD. By integrating clinical variables, CCTA, FFR-CT, and pericoronary FAI, individualized therapeutic decisions for CAD patients can be further optimized.
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spelling doaj-art-0be56d8f5ed14ecebaf989cac2fe0eda2025-08-24T11:57:43ZengBMCBMC Medical Imaging1471-23422025-08-0125111110.1186/s12880-025-01874-zSubtraction fractional flow reserve with computed tomography and pericoronary fat attenuation index enhances the identification of revascularization needs in patientsTingting Zhu0Yanhui Li1Yujin Wang2Hanxiong Guan3Qian Li4Defu Li5Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyAbstract Background Fractional flow reserve with computed tomography (FFR-CT) is influenced by calcified plaque artifacts, which can reduce its accuracy in predicting myocardial ischemia. Subtraction techniques can mitigate these artifacts, thereby enhancing diagnostic precision. However, the potential of subtraction FFR-CT and the pericoronary fat attenuation index (FAI) to improve the prediction of revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of FFR-CT and pericoronary FAI in identifying the need for revascularization in patients with CAD. Methods We retrospectively analyzed coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) data from 76 patients with CAD (142 branches) using both conventional and subtraction CCTA images. The diagnostic performance of FFR-CT and FAI in identifying revascularization needs was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Results Among the 76 patients, 54 underwent revascularization. Patients who underwent revascularization had higher pericoronary FAI and lower FFR-CT values. Subtraction FFR-CT values were higher than those obtained using conventional methods. Models 4 (subtraction CCTA), 5 (Model 4 + subtraction FFR-CT), and 6 (Model 5 + subtraction FAI) showed significantly better diagnostic efficacy for revascularization needs than compared to the Models 1 (conventional CCTA), 2 (Model 1 + conventional FFR-CT), and 3 (Model 2 + conventional FAI) (all p < 0.05). In the subtraction models, Model 6 and 5 were significantly more effective than Models 4 (all p < 0.05). Additionally, when clinical variables (male, age, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and smoking) were incorporated into Models 3 and 6, the resulting Models 7 and 8 performed significantly better than Model 3 (all p < 0.05). Conclusion Subtraction techniques have significantly improved the efficacy of CCTA with FFR-CT in assessing the need for revascularization in patients with CAD. By integrating clinical variables, CCTA, FFR-CT, and pericoronary FAI, individualized therapeutic decisions for CAD patients can be further optimized.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12880-025-01874-zCoronary computed tomography angiographyCoronary artery diseaseFat attenuation indexFractional flow reserveSubtraction
spellingShingle Tingting Zhu
Yanhui Li
Yujin Wang
Hanxiong Guan
Qian Li
Defu Li
Subtraction fractional flow reserve with computed tomography and pericoronary fat attenuation index enhances the identification of revascularization needs in patients
BMC Medical Imaging
Coronary computed tomography angiography
Coronary artery disease
Fat attenuation index
Fractional flow reserve
Subtraction
title Subtraction fractional flow reserve with computed tomography and pericoronary fat attenuation index enhances the identification of revascularization needs in patients
title_full Subtraction fractional flow reserve with computed tomography and pericoronary fat attenuation index enhances the identification of revascularization needs in patients
title_fullStr Subtraction fractional flow reserve with computed tomography and pericoronary fat attenuation index enhances the identification of revascularization needs in patients
title_full_unstemmed Subtraction fractional flow reserve with computed tomography and pericoronary fat attenuation index enhances the identification of revascularization needs in patients
title_short Subtraction fractional flow reserve with computed tomography and pericoronary fat attenuation index enhances the identification of revascularization needs in patients
title_sort subtraction fractional flow reserve with computed tomography and pericoronary fat attenuation index enhances the identification of revascularization needs in patients
topic Coronary computed tomography angiography
Coronary artery disease
Fat attenuation index
Fractional flow reserve
Subtraction
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12880-025-01874-z
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