双源CT 前瞻性心电触发技术用于脑血管成像的临床应用

目的：探讨双源Flash Spiral CT 前瞻性心电触发序列（step‐and‐shoot ,SAS）模式脑血管成像的临床应用价值。方法将60例临床怀疑脑血管性病变的患者,行前瞻性心电触发序列模式的脑血管CTA（SAS‐CTA）扫描,采集期相：应用60％ R‐R间期的ECG演示模式,对SAS‐CTA做图像后处理,分析评价图像质量评分、统计辐射剂量。结果评价SAS‐CTA ,图像质量评分为4．72±0．50,平均有效剂量为（0．216±0．01）mSv ,SAS‐CTA有效辐射剂量与双能量CTA （DE‐CTA）比较降幅达到76．31％。60例临床怀疑脑血管病变患者,SAS‐CTA检出15例动脉瘤,1例动静脉畸形,1例烟雾病,25例脑血管狭窄或闭塞,18例阴性患者。结论前瞻性心电触发序列模式应用于脑血管成像,能准确诊断脑血管病变,可在保证图像质量的同时显著降低辐射剂量,有良好的临床应用价值。     

低剂量前瞻性心电触发序列扫描在房颤患者冠状动脉CT成像的研究

目的 研究前瞻性心电触发序列扫描在房颤患者冠状动脉CT成像的可行性.方法 前瞻性连续入组94例持续房颤患者,47例患者采用前瞻性心电门控序列扫描,另外47例采用回顾性心电门控螺旋扫描.设备采用第二代双源CT.以冠状动脉段为基础评价图像质量,比较两组的图像质量和辐射剂量.结果 前瞻组可诊断的血管段为99.5％（604/607）,回顾组为97.7％（570/584）,前瞻组显著高于回顾组（P＜0.001）.以患者为基础,前瞻组43例（92％）为可诊断,回顾组29例（62％）为可诊断病例.有效辐射剂量在前瞻和回顾组分别为（4.15±1.78）mSv和（12.15±5.38）mSv,两组之间差异有显著性（P＜0.001）.序列扫描降低辐射剂量66 ％.结论 采用第二代双源CT,前瞻性心电触发序列扫描对于房颤患者冠状动脉CT成像具有可行性,该扫描方案可以显著降低辐射剂量,并保证诊断所需图像质量.     

双源CT前瞻性和回顾性心电门控冠状动脉成像对比研究

目的:通过对双源CT前瞻性与回顾性心电门控冠状动脉成像的图像质量和辐射剂量等比较,探讨双源CT前瞻性触发序列扫描技术在冠状动脉成像中的应用价值.方法:将110例行双源CT冠状动脉血管成像检查的患者随机分为2组,A组60例行前瞻性触发序列门控扫描,B组50例行回顾性心电门控螺旋扫描.入组标准为心率75次/min(bpm)以下,心率相对规整(波动≤10bpm).管电压根据体重质量指数(BMI)调整:BM1≥25kg/m2,120kV;BMI＜25kg/m2,100kV.记录扫描中患者所接受辐射剂量,并对其图像质量进行评分.分别采用Wilcoxon秩检验和两独立样本t检验对两组的图像质量和辐射剂量进行统计学分析.结果:A组图像质量平均评分为(3.74±0.51)分,平均有效剂量为(2.38±0.83) mSv;B组图像质量平均评分为(3.68±0.58)分,平均有效剂量为(9.49±3.38)mSv.A、B两组图像质量评分差异无统计学意义(Z =-1.891,P=0.059);有效剂量差异有统计学意义(t=-14.522,P＜0.001),降低约75％.结论:双源CT在心率低且稳定的患者中行前瞻性触发序列扫描能够显著降低辐射剂量,并且可以获得满足临床诊断的图像质量.     

双源CT前瞻性心电触发序列扫描在房颤患者中的应用研究

目的应用双源CT前瞻性心电触发序列扫描对心房纤颤(atrial fibrillation,AF)患者行冠状动脉成像,并与回顾性心电门控螺旋扫描比较,评估二者的图像质量及放射剂量。方法对40例临床可疑冠心病的AF患者行二代128层双源CT增强扫描。随机分为两组:组1共21例(序列组),使用前瞻性心电触发序列扫描;组2共19例(螺旋组),使用回顾性心电门控螺旋扫描。基于AHA-15段冠状动脉分段法及4级评分法(1分-优秀至4分-差),由两位阅片者独立对所有冠状动脉按节段进行图像质量评价,比较两组患者的图像质量及有效放射剂量。结果序列组平均心率(94±25)次/min,心率波动(69±25)次/min;螺旋组平均心率(86±22)次/min,心率波动(65±22)次/min,组间平均心率(t=1.019,P=0.315)及心率波动(t=0.598,P=0.553)差异无统计学意义。序列组与螺旋组的图像质量优良,评分差异无统计学意义(1.29±0.55 vs 1.25±0.55;Z=-1.290,P=0.197);序列组的有效放射剂量较螺旋组显著降低(4.90±1.62 mSv vs 10.04±3.57 mSv;t=-5.988,P=0.000)。结论 AF患者双源CT冠状动脉成像中,前瞻性心电触发序列扫描与回顾性心电门控螺旋扫描相比,可以提供同样高质量的图像满足诊断需要,同时有效减低放射剂量。     

双源CT低剂量前瞻性心电触发序列扫描在冠状动脉血管成像的应用

目的 研究双源CT低剂量前瞻性心电触发序列扫描技术在冠状动脉CTA的应用,并评价其图像质量.方法 将68例行冠状动脉CTA检查的患者分为2组,A组38例行前瞻性心电触发序列扫描,入组标准为心率70次/min(bpm)以下,窦性心律,心率波动范围在10 bpm以内.排除标准为心率不能控制在70 bpm以内及心律不齐患者、屏气不佳者以及冠状动脉存在严重钙化及明显狭窄者.采集期相70%R-R间期.B组30例为常规回顾性心电门控螺旋扫描,人组标准为心率70 bpm以下,窦性心律且规整.排除标准为心律不齐患者、屏气不佳者以及冠状动脉存在严重钙化及明显狭窄者.2组中管电压均随体质量指数(BMI)调整,BMI≥24 ks/m2管电压采用120 kV,BMI<24 ks/m2管电压采用100 kV.对2组扫描的冠状动脉分别做图像处理,应用秩和检验比较2组患者冠状动脉段图像质量评分,应用两独立样本t检验比较2组患者辐射剂量.结果 A组评价476段冠状动脉,B组评价372段冠状动脉.A组冠状动脉段图像质量评分为(3.48±0.59)分,B组均值为(3.53±0.58)分,2组之间比较差异无统计学意义(Z=-1.432,P=0.187).A组平均有效剂量为(2.51±0.54)mSv;B组平均有效剂量为(14.55±3.54)mSv,2组之间平均有效剂量比较差异有统计学意义(t=18.484,P=0.000).结论 在严格掌握心率及心律的基础上,可成功实现前瞻性触发序列扫描,该技术能显著降低辐射剂量而保证诊断所需图像质量.     

第二代双源CT冠状动脉成像前门控大螺距扫描的初步经验

目的:初步分析第二代双源CT前瞻性心电触发大螺距扫描(Flash模式)行心脏冠状动脉成像的图像质量,同时观察扫描的辐射剂量.方法:回顾性分析了87例第二代双源CT使用Flash扫描模式(前瞻性心电触发选在60% R-R间期,螺距3.4)行冠脉成像患者的图像质量.分别由2名医师采用4级法进行综合评估,1～3级图像为可评估,能用于影像诊断,4级为不可评估; 根据美国心脏学会冠脉16段分段法,对各段图像质量进行分级评估;再根据扫描心率,分成≤65次/min和＞65次/min 2组病例,比较2组间图像质量的差异;统计分析此种扫描模式的平均辐射剂量.结果:共评价冠脉1 047段,可用于诊断的节段占97.3%,不可评价节段占2.7%;平均心率≤65次/min组可评价血管节段为99.5%,平均心率＞65次/min 组可评价血管节段是89.1%,2组图像质量差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).平均每例扫描辐射剂量为(1.25±0.45)mSv.结论:使用Flash模式行冠脉CTA扫描图像质量较高;对于心律较整齐患者,影响其图像质量的主要因素是心率,在60%R-R间期采集时,扫描时心率≤65次/min图像质量较心率＞65次/min可评价比例明显提高;此种模式较其他扫描模式辐射剂量显著降低.     

双源CT心脏“一站式”检查低剂量扫描方案在低心率患者中的应用

目的 探讨双源CT(dual-source CT,DSCT)前瞻性心电门控“一站式”低剂量扫描方案在低心率患者冠状动脉成像及左心室功能分析中的应用价值.方法 33例临床怀疑或确诊为冠心病的患者1周内同时行冠状动脉DSCT和超声心动图检查.入组条件:心律规则且心率≤70次/分.DSCT采用管电流调制,前瞻性心电触发序列扫描,扫描窗宽为30％～ 80％ R-R间期,全电流采集时相为70％ R-R间期,其余时相使用全电流的20％.冠状动脉依据美国心脏学会冠状动脉16分段法,图像质量用4级法进行评估,1～3级图像为可评估,能用于影像诊断,4级为不可评估.采用手动矫正Simpson法计算DSCT所测得的左心室射血分数(LVEF),并以超声心动图测得的LVEF值为对照进行配对t检验和Pearson相关性检验.结果 30例患者顺利完成检查及左心室功能分析,1例心脏扫描失败,2例左心室功能分析失败.平均辐射剂量为(3.08±0.40) mSv.共评价冠状动脉409段,其中可用于诊断的节段占96.82％.双侧配对t检验结果显示DSCT与超声心动图测得的LVEF值差别无统计学意义(P=0.14),且有很高的相关性(r=0.74).结论 DSCT前瞻性心电触发序列扫描低剂量“一站式”心脏检查方法可以用于低心率患者的冠状动脉成像和左心室功能分析.冠状动脉图像质量较好,左心室功能分析结果可靠,平均辐射剂量较低.     

256层螺旋CT低剂量心脑血管联合成像初步研究

目的 初步探讨256层螺旋CT前瞻性心电门控心脑血管联合成像的图像质量与辐射剂量.方法 回顾性分析57例患者CTA资料.组1:心脑血管联合CTA(n=17),应用大范围前瞻性心电门控行冠状动脉、颈动脉及脑血管一站式扫描;组2:冠状动脉CTA(n=20):前瞻性心电门控行常规冠状动脉成像;组3:常规颈脑血管CTA(n =20).分别测量各组升主动脉根部、双侧颈总动脉起始部、椎动脉起始部、颈内动脉(蝶鞍层面)图像CT值与图像噪声;采用4分法评估冠状动脉图像质量,3分法评估颈脑血管图像质量;分别计算各组的辐射剂量.采用t检验比较组间的图像CT值与噪声;采用Mann-Whitney U检验比较组1与组2冠状动脉图像质量及组1与组3颈脑血管图像质量.结果 组1与组2升主动脉根部CT值[分别为(427±50)、(426±86) HU]、噪声[分别为(30±9)、(31±9)HU]差异均无统计学意义(t值分别为0.058、-0.325,P值均＞0.05);冠状动脉图像质量评分组1与组2均满足诊断需要冠状动脉节段,优良分别达到98.1％( 202/206)、99.6％(244/245);两组间图像质量比较差异无统计学意义(Z=- 0.572,P＞0.05).组1与组3颈总动脉起始部CT值[分别为(474±70)、(348±81)HU]、椎动脉起始部CT值[分别为(447±83)、(328±66) HU]差异均有统计学意义(t值分别为5.043、4.869,P值均＜0.05);颈内动脉(蝶鞍层面)CT值[分别为(370±92)、(367±97)HU]两组比较差异无统计学意义(t=0.111,P＞0.05).组1颈脑血管图像质量评分1分1例,2分14例,3分2例;组3颈脑血管图像质量评分2分7例,3分13例;两组图像质量评分比较差异有统计学意义(Z=-3.306,P＜0.05).组1、组2、组3有效辐射剂量分别为(7.0±0.8)、(3.1±0.4)、(5.0±0.3) mSv.结论 256层螺旋CT大范围前瞻性心电门控心脑血管联合成像可获得满足临床诊断需要的冠状动脉、颈动脉及脑血管图像质量,具有简便、快捷、无创、对比剂使用少、辐射剂量低、客观和重复性强的优势,是一种全新的评估冠状动脉与颈脑血管的良好方法.     

迭代重建算法在低剂量冠状动脉成像中的初步应用

目的 对比低剂量冠状动脉成像使用迭代重建算法(iDose)与标准剂量冠状动脉成像使用滤过反投影法(FBP)的剂量与图像质量.方法 采用256层螺旋CT,选取120例临床拟诊为冠心病的患者,对于心率≤65次/min的患者采用前瞻性门控扫描方式,心率＞65次/min的患者采用回顾性门控扫描方式.将120例随机分为低剂量组和常规剂量组.对比分析两种扫描方式下低剂量和常规剂量的图像质量及辐射剂量.低剂量组均使用迭代重建算法(iDose)行图像重建,常规剂量组均使用FBP行图像重建.将冠状动脉主要分支分为9个节段评价,采用4分法评价图像质量,图像质量、噪声和有效剂量(ED)测量记录用于图像评价.结果 回顾性门控扫描常规剂量组与低剂量组平均ED分别为8.29±1.22和4.29±1.22,低剂量组较常规剂量组剂量降低了49％(P＜0.01);前瞻性门控扫描常规剂量组与低剂量组平均ED分别为3.03±0.53和1.40 ±0.13,低剂量组较常规剂量组剂量降低了54％(P＜0.01);回顾性门控扫描方式和前瞻性门控扫描方式下常规剂量组和低剂量组图像的主观评分、图像信噪比、对比信噪比及降主动脉噪声差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 使用iDose可以在保证图像质量的同时进一步降低辐射剂量.     

256层CT前瞻与回顾性心电门控冠状动脉成像的应用研究

目的 通过256层CT前瞻性心电门控与回顾性心电门控冠状动脉成像的辐射剂量和成像质量等比较,探讨前瞻性心电门控CT冠状动脉成像的可行性.资料与方法 拟诊冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(CHD)两组患者分别进行前瞻性和回顾性心电门控扫描,并采用最大密度投影(MIP)、容积再现(VR)、多平面重组(MPR)及曲面重组(CPR)多种重组技术显示各节段冠状动脉,图像质量根据对诊断影响分为优、良、差,并计算各自有效辐射剂量,进行统计学分析.结果 前瞻性组平均辐射剂量为(2.11±0.48)mSv,明显低于回顾性组的(9.15±1.59)mSv(P<0.01);前瞻性组冠状动脉节段图像质量优良及差者分别占96.7%(1259/1302)和3.3%(43/1302),与回顾性组的96.3%(1339/1390)和3.7%(51/1390)比较,差异无统计学意义.结论 256层CT前瞻性心电门控冠状动脉成像能以较低的辐射剂量取得优质图像,更适合CHD患者的早期筛查.     

High diagnostic accuracy of prospective ECG-gating 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography for the detection of in-stent restenosis: in-stent restenosis assessment by low-dose MDCT

Objectives

The accuracy of computed tomography (CT) for assessment of coronary stents is as yet unproven and radiation exposure has been a concern. The aim of our study is to compare radiation dose and diagnostic performance of CT with prospective ECG-triggering versus retrospective ECG-triggering for the detection of in-stent restenosis (ISR).

Methods

We enrolled 168 consecutive patients with suspected ISR, 83 studied using CT with prospective ECG-triggering (group 1) and 85 using retrospective ECG-triggering (group 2).

Results

Prevalence of ISR according to catheter angiography was 24% in both groups. The overall evaluability was similar (93% in group 1 vs 95% in group 2). Artefact sub-analysis showed a significantly lower number of blooming and higher number of slice misalignment in group 1 vs group 2. In the stent-based analysis using only evaluable stents, specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy were significantly higher in group 1 (100%, 100% and 99%, respectively) than in group 2 (97%, 91% and 95%, respectively, p?<?0.05). Group 1 was exposed to a lower radiation dose compared with group 2 (4.3?±?1.4?mSv vs 18.5?±?5.5?mSv, p?<?00.1).

Conclusions

CT with prospective ECG-triggering can improve diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive imaging of coronary stents with a significant reduction in radiation exposure     

Non-sedated,free breathing cardiac CT for evaluation of complex congenital heart disease in neonates

BackgroundNeonates with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk of adverse events from anesthesia. CT angiography (CTA) performed free breathing and without sedation has not been reported for evaluation of complex CHD in neonates.ObjectivesThe aim was to evaluate the image quality and risk of free breathing, non-sedated cardiac CTA for definition of CHD in the neonatal period and to determine accuracy compared with interventional findings.MethodsThis is a combined retrospective–prospective single institution review of all non-sedated, free breathing cardiac CT angiograms performed in patients <1 month of age with complex CHD. Diagnosis, scan acquisition parameters, image quality (1- to 4-point scale), adverse events, radiation dose estimates, and accuracy compared with operative and interventional catheterization findings were recorded. Results are reported as median and interquartile range.ResultsNineteen non-sedated, free breathing, neonatal cardiac CT angiograms were performed during the time of review. All studies were diagnostic with a mean image quality score of 1.1 ± 0.3. Median total procedural dose-length product was 11 (range, 10–14), CT dose index volume was 0.47 (range, 0.31–0.5). Median unadjusted radiation dose was 0.15 mSv (range, 0.14–0.2 mSv), age- and size-adjusted radiation dose was 0.86 mSv (range, 0.78–1.1 mSv). No adverse events and no discrepancies compared with surgical or catheterization findings were found in the 17 of 19 patients that had subsequent intervention.ConclusionsCardiac CTA can be performed in the neonatal period free breathing and without sedation. Image quality is excellent, and there is high accuracy compared with surgical and catheterization findings at the time of intervention.     

深度学习重建算法在低辐射剂量头颈联合CT血管成像中的应用价值

目的 探讨深度学习重建算法(DLIR)与自适应统计迭代重建算法(ASiR-V)在头颈部CT血管成像(CTA)中检查剂量和成像质量的差异。方法 前瞻性收集因头颈部血管疾病行头颈部CTA检查的患者80例。按照检查的先后顺序分为A组和B组,每组40例。A组采用管电压120 kV,噪声指数11.0,ASiR-V 50%重建;B组采用管电压80 kV,噪声指数9.0,分别采用ASiR-V 50%重建(B1组)和DLIR-H重建(B2组)。采用独立样本t检验比较两组的辐射剂量和图像质量。采用Kruskal-wallis检验和Wilcoxon秩和检验用于比较两种成像方式的辐射剂量和主观、客观图像质量。比较组间强化血管CT值,感兴趣区(ROI)的信号与噪声, 计算信噪比(SNR)和对比信噪比(CNR)。结果 A、B两组有效辐射剂量分别为(0.77±0.08)、(0.45±0.05)mSv,差异有统计学意义(t=21.96,P<0.001)。A、B1、B2 3组图像的主动脉弓、颈动脉起始部、颈动脉分叉层面、大脑中动脉M1段强化血管CT值、SD、SNR、CNR,差异均有统计学意义(F=67.69、68.50、50.52、74.10、63.10、91.22、69.16,P<0.001)。A、B1、B2 3组图像质量主观评分差异有统计学意义(Z=71.06,P<0.05)。结论 DLIR算法能够在进一步降低头颈部CTA检查辐射剂量的同时,明显地减少图像噪声,保证了图像质量,具有良好的临床应用价值。     

First experience with monochromatic coronary computed tomography angiography from a 64-slice CT scanner with Gemstone Spectral Imaging (GSI)

BackgroundNew technology combining dual-energy CT with the latest gemstone detectors for spectral imaging (GSI) can be used to synthesize monochromatic images that mimic images as if different monochromatic x-ray sources were used.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to evaluate the optimal combination of monochromatic image energy and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR) for monochromatic reconstruction of coronary CT angiography (CTA) images with the use of GSI.MethodsTwenty consecutive patients underwent coronary CTA on a GSI capable 64-slice CT scanner (Discovery CT 750 High Definition, GE Healthcare). In 7 sets of monochromatic images (60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 90, and 110 keV; each with increasing contributions of ASiR, ie, 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%; n = 35 reconstructions per patient), signal-to-noise (aortic root) and contrast-to-noise (left main artery) ratios were assessed. Signal-to-noise ratio, contrast-to-noise ratio, and image quality (graded on a 5-point Likert scale) were assessed in all above monochromatic reconstructions and compared with the respective standard (conventional polychromatic) image.ResultsCompared with conventional polychromatic images, reconstructions with 60 keV and 80% ASiR showed the highest improvement in contrast-to-noise (144%; P < 0.001) and signal-to-noise ratio (173%; P < 0.001). Image quality reached a plateau at 65–75 keV with 40%–60% ASiR blending, yielding a maximal image quality score improvement of 50% compared with conventional imaging (P < 0.001).ConclusionIn coronary CTA with low radiation technique (mean radiation dose, 1.8 ± 0.7 mSv), GSI with monochromatic reconstructions (65–75 keV) and ASiR (40%–60%) offers significant noise reduction and image quality improvement.     

Diagnostic accuracy of dual-source CT coronary angiography with prospective ECG-triggering on different heart rate patients

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-source CT (DSCT) prospective ECG-triggering coronary angiography in patients with different heart rate (HR).

Methods

103 patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent DSCT prospective ECG-triggered coronary angiography and invasive coronary angiography (ICA). The patients were grouped by HR during CT scans: low HR (??60?bpm, n?=?34); medium HR (60?n?=?36) and high HR (>70?bpm, n?=?33). The sensitivity and specificity of DSCT in detecting ??50% stenosis were compared among subgroups where ICA was the gold standard. Image quality was scored using a 4-point scale.

Results

A total of 1,580 (95.9%) coronary artery segments were evaluable. Sensitivity and specificity were 82.8% and 98.4%, 88.3% and 98.7%, and 80.3% and 98.6% for different subgroups (all p?>?0.05). The overall area under the curve of the receiver-operating characteristic analysis was 0.94. The image quality scores were 3.1?±?0.3, 3.1?±?0.3 and 3.0?±?0.4 for subgroups (p?>?0.05). The overall average effective radiation dose was 3.60?±?1.60?mSv.

Conclusion

DSCT coronary angiography with prospective ECG-triggering could be just as accurate in patients with medium to high HR compared to those with low HR.     

Low-dose prospective ECG-triggering dual-source CT angiography in infants and children with complex congenital heart disease: first experience

Objective:

To explore the clinical value of low-dose prospective ECG-triggering dual-source CT (DSCT) angiography in infants and children with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) compared with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

Methods:

Thirty-five patients (mean age: 16 months, range: 2 months to 6 years; male 15; mean weight: 12 kg) underwent low-dose prospective ECG-triggering DSCT angiography and TTE. Surgeries were performed in 29 patients, and conventional cardiac angiography (CCA) was performed in 8 patients. The accuracy was calculated based on the surgical and/or CCA findings. The overall imaging quality was evaluated on a five-point scale.

Results:

A total of 146 separate cardiovascular deformities were confirmed. DSCT missed three atrial septal defects and a patent ductus arteriosus. The accuracy of DSCT angiography and TTE was 97.3% (142/146) and 92.5% (135/146), respectively. Overall test parameters for DSCT angiography and TTE were similar (sensitivity, 97.3% vs 92.5%; specificity, 99.8% vs 99.8%). The average subjective image quality score was 4.3?±?0.7. The mean effective dose was 0.38?±?0.09 mSv.

Conclusions:

Prospective ECG-triggering DSCT angiography with a very low effective radiation dose allows the accurate diagnosis of anomalies in infants and children with complex CHD compared with TTE. It has great promise to become a commonly used second-line technique for complex CHD.     

Lowering radiation dose for integrated assessment of coronary morphology and physiology: First experience with step-and-shoot CT angiography in a rubidium 82 PET-CT protocol

Background. Reduction of radiation exposure from computed tomography coronary angiography (CTA) will be a key factor for more liberal use in cardiac hybrid positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT). We report our initial experience with a new algorithm for low-dose CTA based on a prospectively gated step-and-shoot technique. This limits acquisition to the diastolic phase and minimizes exposure time versus the previous standard of retrospectively gated helical acquisitions. Methods and Results. In 15 consecutive patients referred for integrated functional and morphologic workup by rubidium 82 perfusion PET-CTA, step-and-shoot CTA (SnapShot Pulse; GE Medical Systems) (120 kV, 600–800 mA) was acquired on a 64-slice GE Discovery Rx VCT PET-CT scanner and compared with a group of patients with conventional helical CTA (120 kV, with modulation of the milliampere level) who were matched with regard to clinical variables. Effective dose was estimated from dose-length product. The American Heart Association 15-segment coronary tree model was used to determine study interpretability. Potential for fusion with Rb-82 perfusion PET was tested by use of commercial software. In addition, direct dose measurements were conducted by use of an anthropomorphic phantom for more accurate dosimetry. The dose-length product-derived effective patient dose for step-and-shoot and helical CTA was 5.5±0.1 mSv versus 20.5±3.5 mSv (P<.0001). The mean number of evaluable segments per patient for the best phase of helical CTA was 12.5±2.8 (83.3%±18.7%) versus 13.3±2.2 (88.7%±14.7%) (P=not significant vs helical) for step-and-shoot CTA. Review of multiple phases increased the number for helical CTA to 13.7±1.7 (91.3%±11.3%;P=not significant vs step-and-shoot CTA, for which this was not an option). Semiautomated fusion with corresponding PET was feasible for all studies. Phantom data confirm effective doses of 5.4 mSv for step-and-shoot CTA and 19.6 mSv for helical acquisition. Conclusions. Low-dose prospectively gated CTA reduces radiation exposure by nearly 70% versus the previous standard of helical acquisition, without significant loss in interpretability and integrative potential with Rb-82 perfusion PET. This represents a step toward a broader, routine integration of CTA and perfusion PET for assessment of coronary morphology and physiology by cardiac PET-CT.     

Low dose contrast CT for transcatheter aortic valve replacement assessment: Results from the prospective SPECTACULAR study (spectral CT assessment prior to TAVR)

BackgroundComputed tomographic angiography (CTA) based planning for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is essential for reduction of periprocedural complications. Spectral CT based imaging provides several advantages, including better contrast/signal to noise ratio and increased soft tissue contrast, permitting better delineation of contrast filled structures at lower doses of iodinated contrast media. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the initial feasibility of a low dose iodinated contrast protocol, utilizing monoenergetic 40 keV reconstruction, using a dual-layer CT scanner (DLCT) for CTA in patients undergoing TAVR planning.Methods116 consecutive TAVR patients underwent a gated chest and a non-gated CTA of the abdomen and pelvis. 40 keV virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) were reconstructed and compared with conventional polychromatic images (CI). The proximal aorta and access vessels were scored for image quality by independent experienced cardiovascular imagers.ResultsProximal aortic image quality as assessed by signal to noise (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR), were significantly better with 40 keV VMI relative to CI (SNR 14.65 ± 7.37 vs 44.16 ± 22.39, p < 0.001; CNR 15.84 ± 9.93 vs 59.8 ± 40.83, p < 0.001). Aortic root dimensions were comparable between the two approaches with a bias towards higher measurements at 40 keV (Bland Altman). SNR and CNR in all access vessel segments at 40 keV were substantially better (p < 0.001 for all peripheral access vessel segments) with comparable image quality.Conclusion40 keV VMI with low dose contrast dose spectral imaging is feasible for comprehensive preprocedural evaluation of access vessels and measurements of aortic root dimensions in patients undergoing TAVR.