Spatial heterogeneity and distribution of CT-Based pulmonary vascular volumes in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Rationale/Objectives

Image-based vascular biomarkers may help expedite evaluation of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), which remains difficult to diagnose despite available effective therapies. We sought to determine if vascular heterogeneity and central redistribution on chest CT differed between CTEPH, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and control groups.

Materials/Methods

We retrospectively included 108 patients who underwent right heart catheterization and chest CT (2011–2018). Automated CT image analysis was used to calculate volumes of all arteries, all veins, and small arteries/veins (area < 5 mm²). Vascular heterogeneity was assessed by partitioning each lung into isovolumetric segments and calculating coefficients of variation (CV) across segments. Central redistribution was assessed by measuring vascular volumes in central/peripheral lung zones (innermost/outermost fifth, respectively) and calculating central-to-peripheral volume ratios. We constructed multivariable linear regression models to compare vascular heterogeneity and redistribution between CTEPH and control/PAH groups.

Results

Of 108 patients, 21 had CTEPH, 47 had PAH, and 40 were controls. For vascular heterogeneity, we found consistently higher CVs (i.e. greater heterogeneity) in CTEPH vs. controls. For small arterial volume, CV was 0.09 units higher (95 % CI: 0.04–0.14, p = 0.0004) in the CTEPH group in adjusted models. Similarly, CVs were higher in CTEPH vs. PAH (p = 0.001). For vascular redistribution, we found greater central redistribution in CTEPH compared to controls/PAH; for small arterial volume, central-to-peripheral ratio was 1.52 units higher in CTEPH vs. controls (95 % CI: 0.78–2.26, p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

Volumetric measures of heterogeneity and central distribution of pulmonary vessels can be quantified using CT techniques and may contribute to an image-based signature of CTEPH.