Comprehensive plaque assessment with serial coronary CT angiography: translation to bedside

The purpose of this review is to highlight the utility of comprehensive plaque assessment by serial coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to understand atherosclerosis and its effect on cardiovascular risk stratification and management. CCTA is a validated, noninvasive imaging modality for coronary atherosclerotic plaque characterization. Numerous clinical trials have used approach of serial CCTA to demonstrate the potential benefits of multiple treatment strategies to reduce coronary plaque progression and its translation to benefits with cardiovascular outcomes. Serial CCTA trials for cardiovascular therapies combined with clinical outcome studies are providing mechanistic correlations of coronary atherogenesis and cardiovascular risk reduction, thereby establishing a new standard of care in addressing cardiac disease. Advancements in CCTA imaging and plaque analysis continue to expand the potential for CCTA in the evaluation of cardiovascular risk and targeted treatment of CAD.