Coronary flow quantification estimated by dynamic 320-detector CT angiography: validation by 13N ammonia PET myocardial flow reserve

Objectives: Resting coronary flow index (rCFI) estimated by 320-detector low-dose dynamic coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is a direct flow quantification using intracoronary attenuation. We propose modified-rCFI from new protocol combining dynamic scan and standard CCTA using dose-modulation, and validate its consistency with quantitative values and ischemia depicted by 13N-ammonia PET (NH3-PET). Methods: 46 patients who underwent dynamic CCTA and NH3-PET for coronary artery disease were evaluated using original rCFI in 21 patients and modified-rCFI in 25 patients. Two types of rCFI were calculated for three major coronary arteries. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) at rest and stress, myocardial flow reserve (MFR), and the presence or absence of ischemia for three major territories were depicted by NH3-PET. Coronary territories were categorized as territories with MFR <2.0, ≥2.0, or with and without ischemia. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the optimal cut-off of rCFI to distinguish territories with MFR <2.0 or the presence of ischemia. Results: rCFI and modified-rCFI had significant positive correlations with stress MBF and MFR. The optical cut-offs of rCFI and modified-rCFI of 0.39 and 0.61 could detect territories with MFR <2.0, with AUCs of 0.75 and 0.73, sensitivities of 48 and 34%, and specificities of 97 and 98%. Optimal cut-offs of rCFI and modified-rCFI distinguished ischemic segments from non-ischemic segments, with AUCs of 0.75 and 0.91, sensitivities of 53 and 50%, and specificities of 93 and 95%. Conclusion: Two types of rCFI correlated with quantitative values from NH3-PET, and were consistent with a high specificity in detecting functional ischemia. Advances in knowledge: rCFI can contribute as additional functional test over standard CCTA in clinical work-up.