Optimized detection, visualization, and quantification of the coronary artery plaque – which pathway?

In this thesis detection, visualisation, and quantification of coronary artery plaque using different imaging methods was investigated. First, preclinical studies were performed to assess the effectiveness of improving coronary artery calcium scoring using both calcium scoring CT (CSCT) and coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Second, the ability of low-dose CT (LDCT) to detect coronary artery calcium was evaluated in conjunction with myocardial perfusion PET. Furthermore, the improvement in major adverse cardiac events prediction based on coronary artery calcium (CAC) derived from LDCT scans was examined. Third, coronary artery plaque analysis was performed in patients from the highest cardiovascular risk group. Fourth, a prospective study was proposed in which both invasive and non-invasive methods will be applied to differentiate between ischemia caused by aortic stenosis and coronary artery stenosis.