Table 2.
Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque phenotype on CT.
| Reference | Feature | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Licu et al. (33) | Low attenuation plaque (LAP) | Vulnerability degree was significantly associated with higher rate of LAP, which depicts a larger necrotic core |
| Napkin-ring sign (NRS) | No significant association with plaque rupture has been found | |
| Positive remodeling (PR) | Outward PR and higher remodeling index were significantly associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) | |
| Spotty calcifications (SCs) | Incidence of SCs was significantly lower in patients with ACS | |
| Antonopoulos et al. (50) | Fat attenuation index (FAI) | FAI is inversely correlated with adipocyte size and expression of adipogenic markers, indicating adipose tissue inflammation |
| Dillinger et al. (28) | Coronary artery calcification (CAC) score | Presence and extent of CAC (a marker of atherosclerotic burden) is associated with worse prognosis in COVID-19 patients |
| Nai Fovino et al (29) | CAC | CAC > 400 is a marker of higher risk of worse outcome in hospitalized COVID-19 patients |
| Scoccia et al. (30) | CAC | Presence and extent of CAD, assessed by CAC, are associated with higher mortality and MI/CVA rates among hospitalized COVID-19 patients |
| Madonna et al (12) | Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) | EAT volume correlates with CAC score, indicating total coronary plaque burden, and predicts early CAD |
| Hui et al. (52) | EAT | EAT density can be used as an indicator of cardiac inflammation in COVID-19. Lower density has been detected in severe and critical patients |