COMPARISION OF CORONARY PLAQUE CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN DIABETIC AND NON-DIABETIC PATIENTS BY COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY

Abstract

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs due to plaque buildup, restricting blood flow. Diabetes worsens this, increasing plaque burden and risk. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a non-invasive tool to assess plaque characteristics. Objective: This study aims to compare coronary plaque characteristics between diabetic and non-diabetic patients by using CT angiography. Methodology: The research was conducted at Fatima Memorial Hospital in the radiology department, involving patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Both diabetic and non-diabetic patients underwent coronary CT angiography to assess plaque characteristics. Results: A total of 87 patients aged 40–74 years (mean age: 55.23 ± 8.38 years) were included. Non-diabetic patients frequently showed no involvement in multiple arterial segments, particularly in LCA distal (n = 32), RCA proximal (n = 40), and RCA distal (n = 37).In contrast, a greater percentage of moderate to severe involvement was seen in diabetics across a number of segments. Notably, diabetics were more likely to have moderate RCA mid (n = 4) and LCA mid (n = 7) involvement. Only non-diabetics showed occlusion in the LCA mid and LCA segments. Although it was still present in both groups, collateral formation was more noticeable in non-diabetics for LCA distal. Most of the sample (62.1%) had RCA dominant anatomy. Despite having a lower overall cohort representation, diabetics generally showed a tendency toward more diffuse and severe arterial involvement.