OBJECTIVETo explore the characters of coronary calcified plaques by using 16-slice spiral CT and determine their stenosis degree according to the results of catheter coronary angiography.

METHODSTwenty patients who had received 16-slice spiral CT coronary angiography and conventional coronary angiography (CAG) were found to be with calcified plaques. The characters of these plaques, including the diameter of calcified plaques and lumen diameter of the exact artery segment, were retrospectively analyzed. The stenosis degree of the corresponding segment was judged in accordance with the results of CAG.

RESULTSTotally 84 calcified plaques were observed in 16-slice spiral CT images in these 20 patients. Among them there were 16 small nodules (diameter: < 0.15 cm), 56 purely calcified plaques (diameter: > or = 0. 15 cm), and 12 complex plaques with calcify component. There was no obvious stenosis in artery segments with little calcified nodules. The stenosis degree of most segments with purely calcified plaques (75%) was less than 50%. The stenosis degree had no significant correlation with the size of plaques (P > 0.05). However, the stenosis degree of complex plaques had much closer relationship with the characters of mixed plaques.

CONCLUSIONSMost coronary segments with calcified plaques have slight stenosis. Their stenosis degree is not related with the size of plaques. The stenosis degree of complex plaques has a closer relationship with the characters of mixed plaques.