Morphometric analysis of coronary artery stenosis: An accuracy and reliability study

Abstract

Luminal narrowing was assessed in 238 transverse segments obtained from coronary arteries removed at postmortem. In each segment, narrowing was assessed by gross visual estimation before and after fixation, and on histological sections by stereological point counting and computer-assisted planimetry. Computer-assisted planimetry was found to be accurate and reliable but the equipment needed is expensive, and requires specialized software and an experienced user. Morphometric measurement by stereologic point counting was accurate, rapid, simple, and inexpensive. In comparison with computer-assisted planimetry visual estimation was found to be neither accurate nor reliable. Our results indicate point counting as the method of choice for assessment of coronary artery luminal narrowing by atherosclerosis.