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Abstract：
Atherosclerotic plaque buildup in the coronary and carotid arteries is pivotal in the onset of acute myocardial infarctions or cerebrovascular events, leading to heightened levels of illness and death. Atherosclerosis is a complex and multistep disease, beginning with the deposition of low-density lipoproteins in the arterial intima and culminating in plaque rupture. Modern technology favors non-invasive imaging techniques to assess atherosclerotic plaque and offer insights beyond mere artery stenosis. Among these, computed tomography stands out for its widespread clinical adoption and is prized for its speed and accessibility. Nonetheless, some limitations persist. The introduction of photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT), with its multi-energy capabilities, enhanced spatial resolution, and superior soft tissue contrast with minimal electronic noise, brings significant advantages to carotid and coronary artery imaging, enabling a more comprehensive examination of atherosclerotic plaque composition. This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the main concepts related to PCCT. Additionally, we aim to explore the existing literature on the clinical application of PCCT in assessing atherosclerotic plaque. Finally, we will examine the advantages and limitations of this recently introduced technology.
摘要：
冠状动脉和颈动脉中的动脉粥样硬化斑块积聚在急性心肌梗死或脑血管事件的发作中至关重要。导致疾病和死亡水平升高。动脉粥样硬化是一种复杂的多步骤疾病,从低密度脂蛋白在动脉内膜中沉积开始，最终导致斑块破裂。现代技术有利于非侵入性成像技术来评估动脉粥样硬化斑块，并提供超越单纯动脉狭窄的见解。其中,计算机断层扫描因其广泛的临床应用而脱颖而出，并因其速度和可及性而受到重视。尽管如此，一些限制仍然存在。引入光子计数计算机断层扫描（PCCT），凭借其多能源能力，增强的空间分辨率，和优越的软组织对比度与最小的电子噪声，为颈动脉和冠状动脉成像带来显著优势，能够更全面地检查动脉粥样硬化斑块成分。这篇叙述性综述旨在全面概述与PCCT相关的主要概念。此外,我们旨在探讨现有文献中PCCT在动脉粥样硬化斑块评估中的临床应用。最后,我们将研究这项最近引入的技术的优点和局限性。
