In vivo comparison of arterial lumen dimensions assessed by co-registered three-dimensional (3D) quantitative coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography

Abstract

This study sought to compare lumen dimensions as assessed by 3D quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT), and to assess the association of the discrepancy with vessel curvature. Coronary lumen dimensions often show discrepancies when assessed by X-ray angiography and by IVUS or OCT. One source of error concerns a possible mismatch in the selection of corresponding regions for the comparison. Therefore, we developed a novel, real-time co-registration approach to guarantee the point-to-point correspondence between the X-ray, IVUS and OCT images. A total of 74 patients with indication for cardiac catheterization were retrospectively included. Lumen morphometry was performed by 3D QCA and IVUS or OCT. For quantitative analysis, a novel, dedicated approach for co-registration and lumen detection was employed allowing for assessment of lumen size at multiple positions along the vessel. Vessel curvature was automatically calculated from the 3D arterial vessel centerline. Comparison of 3D QCA and IVUS was performed in 519 distinct positions in 40 vessels. Correlations were r = 0.761, r = 0.790, and r = 0.799 for short diameter (SD), long diameter (LD), and area, respectively. Lumen sizes were larger by IVUS (P < 0.001): SD, 2.51 ± 0.58 mm versus 2.34 ± 0.56 mm; LD, 3.02 ± 0.62 mm versus 2.63 ± 0.58 mm; Area, 6.29 ± 2.77 mm(2) versus 5.08 ± 2.34 mm(2). Comparison of 3D QCA and OCT was performed in 541 distinct positions in 40 vessels. Correlations were r = 0.880, r = 0.881, and r = 0.897 for SD, LD, and area, respectively. Lumen sizes were larger by OCT (P < 0.001): SD, 2.70 ± 0.65 mm versus 2.57 ± 0.61 mm; LD, 3.11 ± 0.72 mm versus 2.80 ± 0.62 mm; Area 7.01 ± 3.28 mm(2) versus 5.93 ± 2.66 mm(2). The vessel-based discrepancy between 3D QCA and IVUS or OCT long diameters increased with increasing vessel curvature. In conclusion, our comparison of co-registered 3D QCA and invasive imaging data suggests a bias towards larger lumen dimensions by IVUS and by OCT, which was more pronounced in larger and tortuous vessels.

Fig. 1

Three-dimensional coronary angiographic reconstruction and its registration with 3D OCT. After the registration, the corresponding markers in different views (a, b, c, e, and f) were synchronized, allowing the assessment of lumen dimensions from both imaging modalities at every corresponding position along the vessel segment

Fig. 2

The curvature profile assessed from the 3D reconstructed Left Circumflex Artery. The average curvature is 0.0615 mm⁻¹ for the reconstructed segment

Fig. 3

Frame-based comparison between 3D QCA and IVUS. Correlations in assessing short diameter (a), long diameter (b), and area (c). Bland–Altman plots show the differences of the measurements in short diameter (a′), long diameter (b′), and area (c′). There is an increasing bias towards larger discrepancy in long diameter and area at larger vessels. n = 519 in 40 vessels

Fig. 4

Frame-based comparison between 3D QCA and OCT. Correlations in assessing short diameter (a), long diameter (b), and area (c). Bland–Altman plots show the differences of the measurements in short diameter (a′), long diameter (b′), and area (c′). There is an increasing bias towards larger discrepancy in long diameter and area at larger vessels. n = 541 in 40 vessels

Fig. 5

Vessel-based comparison between 3D QCA and IVUS/OCT. Correlations between 3D QCA and IVUS for short diameter (a) and long diameter (b). There is an increasing bias towards larger discrepancy in long diameter at higher vessel curvature. Correlations between 3D QCA and OCT for short diameter (c) and long diameter (d). There is also an increasing bias towards larger discrepancy in long diameter at higher vessel curvature. n = 40 vessels in 37 patients