Multi-slice coronary computed tomography angiography in assessment of coronary artery disease on the basis of syntax score

The SYNTAX score (SS) was created to aid the Heart Team in assessing the severity and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with multi-vessel disease, hence helping in the decision between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). SS is an important tool that assesses the angiographic complexity of the CAD based on Invasive coronary angiography (ICA). The study aims to evaluate the role of coronary Multi-Slice Computed Tomography (MSCT) angiography in the assessment of CAD on the basis of SS. Our study involved 60 patients with a male to female ratio 78.4% to 21.6%. The mean age of the patients was 57 years. Then, we applicate SYNTAX score II (SS-II) by incorporating a combination of SS-I and clinical variables. MSCT findings were compared with the data collected by cardiac catheterization. SYNTAX scores produced from coronary CT-angiography (CCTA) and those derived from ICA are concordant (P = 0.001). Direct correlation and significant relationship between SS-II for PCI and the mortality rate with the CT-derived SS-I. There was an inverse relationship between the CT-derived SS-I and SS-II for CABG. There was an inverse relationship between the CT-derived-SS with CABG mortality rate. MSCT is a noninvasive imaging modality that has a significant value and high diagnostic accuracy compared to ICA in the evaluation of the complexity of CAD using SS and can be applied in clinical practice to determine the most convenient treatment procedure and predict long-term prognosis.


Background
In addition to the severity of myocardial ischemia, patient and clinician preference, and other patient comorbidities, the complexity of CAD is a key factor in determining whether the surgical or PCI is the optimal treatment modality for inpatients with CAD [1]. Because myocardial revascularization increases the survival rate of patients with multivessel CAD, it is crucial to appropriately evaluate the disease's complexity [2].
SYNTAX is a common angiographic grading system that is used to assess the complexity of CAD using ICA. SS was derived from the SYNTAX Trial. It discusses numerous angiographic classifications of CAD complexity based on the location and kind of obstructive coronary lesions, gives a detailed risk assessment, and proposes the most successful coronary revascularization treatments [3].
The SS is intended to aid the Heart Team in detecting the severity and degree of CAD in patients with multivessel disease, hence easing the selection between PCI and CABG [4].
The invasive coronary angiography SS may be used to assess the optimal revascularization strategy for individuals with complicated CAD (LM disease or 3-vessel disease). CABG is the gold standard for the treatment of the patient with high scores (≥ 33), while PCI is a potential approach for individuals with less complicated illness (SS equal to or below 22) [5].
Technological breakthroughs enabled the use of CCTA on patients with coronary artery disease symptoms. However, further study is necessary to evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of the most recent generation of CT scanners and the concordance between the appropriate therapy and the presence of multi-vessel CAD [6].
The most recent versions of multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) may acquire noninvasively the same information as ICA, resulting in the widespread use of cardiac CT imaging [3,7].
Moreover, Coronary computed tomography angiography has great diagnostic accuracy for identifying and excluding obstructive coronary stenosis, as well as the distribution, location, and the number of plaques [8].
Recent research has shown that CCTA is a feasible imaging tool for the syntax score application in individuals with CAD [9].

Patients
Of a total number of 134 patients, 58 patients were excluded as they did not meet the criteria for SS application, 7 patients were excluded as we cannot get the PCI result, 9 cases were missed during follow up; finally, 60 patients were enrolled in this study, 47 of them were male representing 78.4% and 13 were female representing 21.6% presented by symptoms suggestive of ischemic heart disease referred for evaluation by CCTA showing multi-vessels, LM or LM and other vessels affection.
From September 2020 to September 2022, patients with symptoms of ischemic heart disease were referred from the cardiology department and private clinics to the diagnostic radiology and medical imaging department at Tanta University Educational Hospital for evaluation by MSCT angiography of coronary arteries.
Consent was taken from all patients included in our study.

Inclusion criteria
Patients who had symptoms suggestive of ischemic heart disease referred for evaluation by MDCT, and the patients who proven to have multi-vessels coronary artery disease or left main coronary artery disease were enrolled in our study.

Exclusion criteria
Patients who were clinically unstable to withstand the duration of CT examination, impaired renal function (Creatinine level ≥ 1.5 mg/dl), history of allergy to IV contrast media used, pregnancy, patients who cannot tolerate the required breath holding time for examination, bad general condition needing life support, prior CABG or revascularization and patients with uncontrollable high heart rate (above 80 bpm).

Method
Patients were subjected to 1. history taking: Personal history, present history and past history: relating to bronchial asthma, chronic renal disease, and other chronic illnesses. Prior coronary stent implantation, diagnostic catheterization, or coronary bypass surgery. On scheduling CT examination, patients were instructed to follow these instructions: Fasting for four to six hours before the scan, encourage water intake till one hour before scan, avoid caffeine products 12 h before Khedr et al. Egypt J Radiol Nucl Med (2023) 54:18 the scan and avoid smoking on the day of CT exam, avoid exercising and strenuous physical activity on the day of CT exam.

II. Patient Preparation:
a) A detailed explanation of the procedure to all patients with reassurance was done to relieve any anxiety b) Heart rate control: • Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded on arrival to set a baseline for monitoring. Patients with HR below 65 bpm were not given any heart rate control medications; they were 15 patients. Higher HR patients were given oral β-blockers provided that there was no contraindication to their use as follows: HR ranging from 65 to 75 bpm was given 50 mg oral Metoprolol one hour before the scan; they were 28 patients. HR above 75 bpm were given 100 mg oral metoprolol one hour before the scan; they were 12 patients. Those with contraindications to β-blockers use were given 5.0 mg oral Ivabradine one hour before the scan; they were 5 patients. Every 30 min, blood pressure and HR were measured until the ideal HR (less than 65 beats per minute) was reached. c) Setting up IV access: • After controlling the patient's pulse rate, a 18G IV cannula was placed into the patient's preparation area. d) At scanner room: • On the scanning table, the patients were next ordered to lay supine with their arms elevated over their heads. • After prepping the skin with alcohol, ECG electrodes were placed on the chest wall and the ECG trace was examined to check that the R wave utilized as the scan trigger had sufficient amplitude. • After attaching the IV line, a saline test injection was done to ensure there was no extravasation. • Patients were instructed to hold their breath to prevent respiratory motion abnormalities.

III. Contrast media injection:
A non-ionic contrast medium (Ultravist 370 mgI/ml) was administered into the peripherally implanted IV cannula using a dual head powered automated injector, followed by a 50-cc saline flush. The quantity of contrast agent was adjusted based on the patient's weight (1 ml/ kg).

IV. CT scan protocol:
320-row multidetector CT scanner (Aquilion One, Toshiba Medical Systems, Otawara, Japan) installed at Tanta University Educational Hospital was used for scanning.
XXII. Image acquisition: • The acquisition settings include 0.35 s gantry rotation time, variable mA (range: 250-580 mA), and variable kv (range: 100-135 kv). The scan window was set at 70-80% of the R-R interval, whereas the heart rate exceeding 70 beats per minute had two heartbeat acquisition. When the heart rate ranged between 65 and 70 beats per minute, the scanning window was altered to capture the end of systole by including 30 to 80 percent of the R-R interval.
VI. Image reconstruction and Post-processing: The reconstructed pictures were sent to a workstation so that multiplanar reformatted images in the sagittal, axial, and coronal planes could be collected (Vitrea Fx, Vital Images, USA). As further evidence of coronary artery disease was evaluated using: maximum intensity projection, 3D volume rendered pictures, semitransparent 3D volume rendered images, and curved planar reformations.

VII. Image analysis:
Evaluation of coronary arteries: • In addition, the coronary arteries were evaluated for sites of significant stenosis (≥ 50) or occlusion that might be contributing to the patient's problems. Lumen assessment was made possible by examining 3.0 mm axial MIP images and curved planar reformatted images. • CT-SS calculation: The CT-SS was calculated using version 2.28 of the SS calculator. • PCI results were used as a golden role for comparison with our result.

Statistical analysis
All data were imported into Microsoft Office Excel 2007 spreadsheets and evaluated statistically using SPSS Statistical Software (version 20.0.0: IBM Corp: Armonk, NY). The qualitative data were presented statistically and mathematically. The presentation of quantitative data as mean and standard deviation (SD). The Chi-square test was used to analyze categorical data. P < 0.05 was used as showing diffusely affected vessels in the coronary system.
The CT-SS results that were diagnosed by MSCT are correlated with coronary catheter angiography findings. Our main result was that there was a significant relationship between the score given by coronary CTA and the score given by ICA with (P = 0.001) ( Table 3 and Fig. 1).
After application of SS-II, we found a direct correlation and significant relationship between SS-II for PCI with the CT-derived SS-I (P value < 0.001) ( Table 3 and Fig. 2). Also, there was a direct correlation and significant relationship between the CT-SS and PCI mortality rate.
There was an inverse relationship between the CTderived SS-I and syntax score II for CABG (Table 3 and    Fig. 3). Also, there was an inverse relationship between the CT syntax score CABG mortality rate. There was a statistically significant difference between the treatment recommendation by anatomical SS-I and SS-II of the anatomy and comorbidity for PCI Vs CABG, by application of syntax I there were 31 patients out of 60 (51.6%) recommended undergoing PCI and by syntax score II 2 patients recommended to undergo PCI (3.33%), by syntax I 17 patient undergoing CABG and become 16 patients after using syntax score II and 12 patients out 60 (20%) recommended for PCI or CABG and increased to become 42 patients (70%) ( Table 4).
There was a statistically significant difference between the group of patients having diffuse affection coronary artery and the patients who did not have diffuse coronary artery affection ( Table 5).
As regard the cofactors and diseases associated with CAD, there was statistical significance as regard the diabetes (P value < 0.001), dyslipidemia, (P value 0.002), smoking (P value 0.012), also there were statistically significant difference between the different groups of SS grading and total syntax score I (P value < 0.001). There was direct but non-significant relation between the SS and the PVD and COPD (Table 5).

Discussion
Prior to coronary interventional procedures and therapy, a patient's awareness of the likelihood of problems may reduce the incidence of complications. The SYNTAX score (SS) is a grading system used to assess the complexity of CAD, choose the most effective revascularization procedure, and identify patients at risk for significant adverse events after PCI [7,10].
Due to their efficacy, these assessments have been included in clinical practice for predicting long-term prognosis and determining the most expedient CAD therapy strategy [11].
The efficiency of MDCT in identifying and visualizing coronary artery lesions is increasing. MDCT has been shown as a feasible approach for detecting the severity of the coronary vascular affection in patients with suspected CAD, with good diagnostic accuracy and negative predictive values over 95% [12].
Few studies have assessed the use of coronary CT angiography to guide patient care, such as assessing the necessity for revascularization or the most effective revascularization technique (e.g., PCI vs CABG surgery) [13].
In this study, we evaluate the role of coronary MSCT in the assessment of multi-vessel CAD on basis of SS.
SS derived from CCTA, and ICA are concordant, which is consistent with the findings of Bartorelli et al. [14], who discovered that CCTA provides an anatomy and noninvasive functional road map for planning for  myocardial revascularization strategies, and Shalev et al. [3], who evaluated the feasibility and accuracy of a CCTA-derived SS to predict complex CAD. Comparing the CCTA-derived SS to an ICA-derived SS reference standard, the research group demonstrated outstanding concordance and diagnostic accuracy. In addition, higher SYNTAX scores determined from CCTA were associated with more complex coronary revascularization. While Yuceler et al. [12] showed strong agreement between the SS-ICA and SS-MDCT, researchers identified substantial agreement between the SS-ICA and SS-MDCT. The SS-MDCT average score was 14.5, whereas the SS-ICA average score was 15.9. In the group with low SS, there was a significant connection between SS-MDCT and SS-ICA (r = 0.63, P = 0.043), however, in the group with high SS, there was no correlation. Also, we found that there was a statistically significant difference between the treatment recommendation by anatomical SS I and SS-II of the anatomy and comorbidity PCI Vs CABG, (P < 0.0001) this was consistent with the finding of Xu et al. [15] who found that compared with the strictly anatomic SS-scoring systems combining clinical variables and anatomic SS (clinical SS, logistic SS, and SS-II) had better discrimination and similar calibration for the prediction of long-term mortality Specifically, the SS-II had better discrimination (C-statistic: baseline SS ¼ 0.591 vs. SS-II ¼ 0.694, P < 0.0001) than the anatomic SS alone, The SS-II significantly improved mortality predictability by appropriately reclassifying several patients. Chen et al. [16] conducted a meta-analysis comparing the SS to the clinical SS to determine their potential to predict adverse clinical outcomes; the clinical SS was associated with a greater predictive value for predicting all causes of mortality. According to Escaned et al. [17], patients with 3-vessel diseases and the vast majority of SS-II trial participants should use this critical decisionmaking tool.
We discovered a direct correlation and significant relationship between SS-II for PCI, which represents the absolute risk (%), and CT-derived SS I (P = 0.001), as well as a direct correlation and significant relationship between the CT-SS and PCI mortality rate, indicating that patients with a high SS have an increased risk of mortality with PCI. Patients with a low SS-II had a considerably low mortality rate following PCI, while patients with a high SS-II had a significantly higher risk of mortality.
We discovered an inverse relationship between SS-II and CABG mortality and a direct relationship between SS-II and PCI mortality rate, indicating that individuals with a higher SS-II had a lower CABG mortality rate and a greater PCI mortality rate. Head et al. [18] observed a significant treatment selection by SS interaction (P = 0.01) in a subgroup analysis based on lesion complexity, which is consistent with our findings. Despite the primary conclusion of the trial that PCI with drug-eluting stents is inferior to CABG, there were no differences in MACCE between CABG and PCI in patients with a SS of 22 or below (13.6 percent vs. 14.7 percent, respectively; P = 0.71). CABG was better than PCI in individuals with SYNTAX scores of 33 or more (10.9% vs. 23.4%, respectively; P < 0.001).
Kundu et al. [19] discovered that the SS and SS-II are helpful predictive markers for directing the therapy of diabetic individuals with advanced coronary artery disease. PCI should be explored as an alternative to CABG in patients with low to moderate SYNTAX scores (equal to or less than 32), but CABG is preferable in operable individuals with high SYNTAX scores (equal to or more than 33). We found that there is significant and direct relationship between the SS and SS-II with PCI and mortality rate and this was in line with Cavalcante et al. [20] who found that the rate of the composite of death, MI, or stroke was similar in the PCI and CABG arms in patients with low and intermediate (equal to or less than 32) SYN-TAX scores while it was significantly higher in the PCI arm in patients with high (equal to or more than 33) SYNTAX scores (24.5 vs.13.2%, respectively; P = 0.018).
Also, we found that 47 patients out of 60 cases were male representing 78.3% of the cases and 13 cases out of 60 were female representing 21.7%. This came in agree with Rong et al. [21] found that male patients accounted for 71.4%, also Suh et al. [13] found that 61% were male, and Shalev et al. [3] who found that 66% were male.
The mean age of the patients was 57 (± 8.8) year, Rong et al. [21] found that the mean age of 68.4 ± 9.4, Yuceler et al. [12] found the mean age of 64.6 ± 6.3 years.
We found a significant relationship between smoking, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. This is consistent with the findings of El-Kersh et al. [22], who showed that there was a statistically significant link between diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking, but not with age, as we did not discover a significant correlation with age. We agree that there was an association between the patient's weight and diabetes that is statistically significant.
The observed negative association between SS and LVEF parallels the findings of Van Dongen et al. [23], who discovered that patients with a SS above the median had a lower LVEF and a greater death rate. We discovered that the SS is a negative independent predictor of LVEF.
Finally, the present study and the previous reports demonstrate that Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) has high diagnostic accuracy compared to ICA Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) and in clinical practice can be used to determine the most convenient treatment procedure and predict long-term prognosis for CAD management.

The limitation of the study was as follow
The limited number of the cases who underwent CT angiography showing multi-vessels coronary arteries affection as in assessment of patient with typical chest pain the PCI is more commonly done, but in our study we insure that the CT scan noninvasively can diagnose the patient and guide the heart team for the appropriate strategy of the treatment. Some cases were excluded as we cannot obtain their PCI result, and we need longer time to detect the long-term major adverse effect to assess the external validation of syntax score PCI and CABG.

Conclusions
Our study aimed to evaluate the role of coronary Multi-Slice Computed Tomography angiography in the assessment of multi-vessel coronary artery disease on the basis of syntax score our main findings were as follows: 1. SYNTAX scores derived from CCTA are concordant with those derived from ICA with P value (0.001). 2. Statistically significant difference between the treatment recommendation by anatomical syntax score I and syntax score II of the anatomy and comorbidity PCI Vs CABG.
The present study and the previous reports demonstrate that Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) has high diagnostic accuracy compared to ICA Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) and in clinical practice can be used to predict long-term prognosis and determine the most convenient treatment modality for CAD management.