Automated Quantification of Pulmonary Perfused Blood Volume by Dual-Energy CTPA in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine whether automated quantification of pulmonary perfused blood volume (PBV) in dual-energy computed tomography pulmonary angiography (DE-CTPA) can be used to assess the severity of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

Methods: Automated quantification of PBV was performed in 25 consecutive CTEPH patients undergoing DE-CTPA. PBV values were correlated with cardiac index and pulmonary vascular resistance quantified by right heart catheterization and walking distance in the 6-minute walk test using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regression analysis to control for age and gender.

Results: DE-CTPA derived PBV values inversely correlated with systolic (r = –0.64, p = 0.001) and mean (r = –0.57, p = 0.004) pulmonary arterial pressure. There was a trend for PBV values to inversely correlate with pulmonary vascular resistance (r = –0.20, p = 0.35). No significant correlation was found between PBV values and cardiac index or 6-minute walking distance. These correlations were confirmed to be independent of age and gender on multivariate linear regression analysis.

Conclusion: DE-CTPA can be used for an automated quantification of pulmonary PBV in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. PBV values correlate inversely with systolic and mean pulmonary arterial pressure and can thus be used to estimate the severity of pulmonary hypertension in these patients.

Citation Format:

• Meinel FG, Graef A, Thierfelder KM et al. Automated Quantification of Pulmonary Perfused Blood Volume by Dual-Energy CTPA in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2014; 186: 151 – 156

Zusammenfassung

Zielsetzung: Ziel der Studie war es zu untersuchen, ob die automatisierte Quantifizierung des perfundierten Lungenblutvolumens (PBV) in der dual-energy CT Pulmonalis-Angiografie (DE-CTPA) zur Beurteilung des Schweregrades einer chronisch-thromboembolischen pulmonalen Hypertonie (CTEPH) genutzt werden kann.

Methoden: Die automatisierte Quantifizierung des PBV wurde bei 25 konsekutiven Patienten mit CTEPH durchgeführt, die mittels DE-CTPA untersucht wurden. Die PBV-Werte wurden mit Parametern aus Rechtsherzkatheteruntersuchung (pulmonalarterieller Druck, Herzindex und pulmonalem Gefäßwiderstand) sowie der 6-Minuten-Gehstrecke korreliert. Hierbei wurde der Korrelationskoeffizient nach Pearson verwendet und mittels multivariater linearer Regression für Alter und Geschlecht adjustiert.

Ergebnisse: Die aus der DE-CTPA ermittelten PBV-Werte korrelierten negativ mit dem systolischen (r = –0,64, p = 0,001) und mittleren (r = –0,57, p = 0,004) pumonalarteriellen Blutdruck. Es zeigte sich ein Trend zu einer negativen Korrelation zwischen PBV-Werten und dem pulmonalen Gefäßwiderstand (r = –0,20, p = 0,35). Zwischen PBV und Herzindex sowie 6-Minuten-Gehstrecke wurden keine signifikanten Korrelationen gefunden. Durch multivariate lineare Regression wurde bestätigt, dass diese Korrelationen von Alter und Geschlecht unabhänig waren.

Schlussfolgerung: Die DE-CTPA kann bei Patienten mit CTEPH für eine automatisierte Quantifizierung des perfundierten Lungenblutvolumens genutzt werden. Deren Ergebnisse korrelieren invers mit systolischem und mittlerem pulmonalarteriellen Druck und können daher den Schweregrad der pulmonalen Hypertonie bei diesen Patienten abschätzen.

Key words

thorax - vascular - CT angiography - CT - CT-quantitative

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