Non-invasive coronary angiography with 16-slice spiral computed tomography: image quality in patients with high heart rates

The purpose of this study was to assess segment image quality at high heart rates using 16-slice computed tomography and differential reconstruction for major coronary vessels. According to the following protocol, 16-slice CT coronary angiography in 46 patients with a mean heart rate of 86.3+/-11.8 was reconstructed. At three transverse planes, preview series were obtained and motion artifacts evaluated in 5% increments from 0-95% within the cardiac cycle. Relying on image quality in the previews, reconstructions were performed at three z-positions for each patient. Segment image quality was assessed in terms of artifacts and visibility. The effects of heart rate and trigger delay on image quality were analyzed. Optimal image quality was achieved at 25 to 35% of the cardiac cycle for the left circumflex (CX) and right coronary artery (RCA) or 30 to 40% for the left main (LM) and left anterior descending artery (LAD). Sixteen-slice CT and differential reconstruction produced good image quality with a low percentage of motion-degraded proximal and middle segments (8.8%). Grades were 1.5 for the LM, 1.9 for the LAD, 2.0 for the CX and 2.3 for the RCA. At high heart rates, good image quality of the coronary arteries is achieved by 16-slice CT and a sophisticated reconstruction strategy at peak to late systole.     

64层螺旋CT冠状动脉图像质量控制研究:最佳重组时相与心率关系

目的量化评估64层螺旋CT冠状动脉各分支不同重组时相图像质量,探讨冠状动脉CT成像最佳重组时相与心率关系。资料与方法102例患者均采用64层螺旋CT回顾性心电门控冠状动脉成像,男68例,女34例,平均年龄(58.1±9.7)岁,平均心率(66.4±11.5)次/min。心率<65次/min(n=43)为Ⅰ组,65～75次/min(n=34)为Ⅱ组,>75次/min(n=25)为Ⅲ组,每例患者的4支冠状动脉(左主干、左前降支、左回旋支、右冠状动脉)共分为12个节段用于图像质量分析。扫描原始数据以间隔5%在20%～80%时相分别回顾性重组冠状动脉图像,采用横断位、曲面重组、容积再现等方法对图像质量综合评分。结果Ⅰ组60%、65%和70%为最佳时相,Ⅱ组60%、65%时相为最佳时相,Ⅲ组右冠状动脉较优时相为35%、40%,左冠状动脉较优时相为60%、65%。结论心率和重组时相的选择是决定冠状动脉图像质量的重要因素。平均心率≤75次/min,冠状动脉各分支图像质量在心脏运动的舒张中期(60%、65%)最佳;>75次/min时,左右冠状动脉分别进行重组能明显提高冠状动脉的成像质量。     

Optimal image reconstruction intervals for non-invasive coronary angiography with 64-slice CT

The reconstruction intervals providing best image quality for non-invasive coronary angiography with 64-slice computed tomography (CT) were evaluated. Contrast-enhanced, retrospectively electrocardiography (ECG)-gated 64-slice CT coronary angiography was performed in 80 patients (47 male, 33 female; mean age 62.1±10.6 years). Thirteen data sets were reconstructed in 5% increments from 20 to 80% of the R-R interval. Depending on the average heart rate during scanning, patients were grouped as <65 bpm (n=49) and ≥65 bpm (n=31). Two blinded and independent readers assessed the image quality of each coronary segment with a diameter ≥1.5 mm using the following scores: 1, no motion artifacts; 2, minor artifacts; 3, moderate artifacts; 4, severe artifacts; and 5, not evaluative. The average heart rate was 63.3±13.1 bpm (range 38–102). Acceptable image quality (scores 1–3) was achieved in 99.1% of all coronary segments (1,162/1,172; mean image quality score 1.55±0.77) in the best reconstruction interval. Best image quality was found at 60% and 65% of the R-R interval for all patients and for each heart rate subgroup, whereas motion artifacts occurred significantly more often (P<0.01) at other reconstruction intervals. At heart rates <65 bpm, acceptable image quality was found in all coronary segments at 60%. At heart rates ≥65 bpm, the whole coronary artery tree could be visualized with acceptable image quality in 87% (27/31) of the patients at 60%, while ten segments in four patients were rated as non-diagnostic (scores 4–5) at any reconstruction interval. In conclusion, 64-slice CT coronary angiography provides best overall image quality in mid-diastole. At heart rates <65 bpm, diagnostic image quality of all coronary segments can be obtained at a single reconstruction interval of 60%.     

Coronary artery motion during the cardiac cycle and optimal ECG triggering for coronary artery imaging

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to investigate the motion characteristics of the coronary arteries and determine optimal electrocardiographic (ECG) trigger time during the cardiac cycle to minimize motion artifacts. METHODS: Contrast-enhanced multislice movie studies of electron beam tomography (EBT) images were performed on 70 subjects. The EBT datasets, which covered an entire cardiac cycle at 58-ms intervals, were acquired for a short-axis view of the heart with ECG triggering. The pixel values along x and y axes were measured at multiple intervals during the cardiac cycle to establish the motion distance and velocity of three major coronary arteries. RESULTS: Coronary artery motion varied greatly throughout the cardiac cycle in three major coronary arteries and increased with the patient's baseline heart rate. The greatest and lowest velocities of coronary arterial movement during the cardiac cycle were determined. Based on the lowest velocity of right coronary artery movement during the cardiac cycle, the optimal ECG trigger times were located at approximately 35% (31.4%-37.6%) or 70% (68.7%-71.4%) of the R-R interval in patients whose resting heart rate was < or =70 beats per minute (bpm); at 50% (47.2%-61.1%) of the R-R interval in the 71- to 100-bpm group; and at 55% (52.8%-59.1%) of the R-R interval in the >100-bpm group. Our data demonstrated that the motion characteristics of the left circumflex artery were quite similar to those of the right coronary artery and that the left anterior descending coronary artery had no significant differences in motion throughout the cardiac cycle. A minimum scan speed of 35.4 to 75.5 ms per slice is needed to completely diminish cardiac motion artifacts (in-plane coronary artery motion with <1-mm displacement). CONCLUSIONS: For coronary artery screening, the optimal ECG trigger time should be determined according to the patient's heart rate, thus greatly reducing motion and motion artifacts during 100-ms acquisitions.     

Noninvasive coronary angiography with 16-detector row CT: effect of heart rate

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of heart rate on the quality of coronary angiograms obtained with 16-detector row computed tomography (CT) by using temporally enhanced three-dimensional (3D) approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The local ethics committee approved the study, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. Fifty patients underwent coronary CT angiography (heart rate range, 45-103 beats per minute). Raw data from helical CT and electrocardiography (ECG) were saved in a combined data set. Retrospectively ECG-gated images were reconstructed at preselected phases (50% and 80%) of the cardiac cycle. A 3D voxel-based approach with cardiac phase weighting was used for reconstruction. Testing for correlation between heart rate, cardiac phase reconstruction window, and image quality was performed with Kruskal-Wallis analysis. Image quality (freedom from cardiac motion-related artifacts) was referenced against findings at conventional angiography in a secondary evaluation step. Regression analysis was performed to calculate heart rate thresholds for future beta-blocker application. RESULTS: A significant negative correlation was observed between heart rate and image quality (r = 0.80, P < .001). Motion artifact-free images were available for 44 (88%) patients and were achieved consistently at a heart rate of 80 or fewer beats per minute (n = 39). Best image quality was achieved at 75 or fewer beats per minute. Segmental analysis revealed that 97% of arterial segments (diameter > or = 1.5 mm according to conventional angiography) were assessable at 80 or fewer beats per minute. Premature ventricular contractions and rate-contained arrhythmia did not impede diagnostic assessment of the coronary arteries in 10 (83%) of the 12 patients affected. CONCLUSION: Motion-free coronary angiograms can be obtained consistently with 16-detector row CT scanners and adaptive multicyclic reconstruction algorithms in patients with heart rates of less than 80 beats per minute.     

Optimal electrocardiographically triggered phase for reducing motion artifact at electron-beam CT in the coronary artery

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors performed this study to (a) investigate coronary movement with electron-beam computed tomography (CT) and (b) find the optimal electrocardiographic (ECG) triggering phase for eliminating motion artifact. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fifty-one patients without arrhythmia were examined with electron-beam CT. First, movie scans were obtained to create displacement and velocity graphs of coronary artery movement. Then, a volume scan with an exposure time of 100 msec was obtained with various ECG trigger settings. RESULTS: Movement patterns of coronary arteries varied with heart rate. Optimal triggering phase was before atrial systole (near 71% of the R-R interval) when heart rate was slower than 68 beats per minute and at ventricular end systole when heart rate was fast. Rate of severe motion artifacts decreased from 43% to 0% when triggering was altered from 80% of the R-R interval to the individual optimal value. Experimental values of the optimal phase at different heart rates were derived, and severe motion artifact was only 3.0% with these values. CONCLUSION: ECG triggering set according to the heart rate enables a great reduction in motion artifacts at electron-beam CT with a 100-msec exposure time. The results may have implications for magnetic resonance imaging of the coronary artery.     

Noninvasive coronary angiography with 64-section CT: effect of average heart rate and heart rate variability on image quality

PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively the effect of average heart rate and heart rate variability on image quality at 64-section computed tomographic (CT) coronary angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study protocol had local ethics committee approval; written informed consent was obtained. There were 125 patients (45 women, 80 men; mean age, 59.9 years +/- 12.9 [standard deviation]; 79 receiving beta-blockers) who underwent 64-section CT coronary angiography with retrospective electrocardiographic gating. Data sets were reconstructed in 5% steps from 20% to 80% of R-R interval. Heart rate variability was calculated as 1 standard deviation from mean rate during scanning. Two observers rated image quality of each coronary segment at least 1.5-mm diameter (1 = no motion artifacts, 5 = not evaluative). Repeated analysis of variance measurements were performed to evaluate quantitative parameters. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to compare image quality in each patient with average heart rate and heart rate variability. RESULTS: Average heart rate was 63.3 beats per minute +/- 13.1, with variability of 3.2 beats per minute +/- 2.1. Diagnostic image quality (score < or = 3) was attained in 1821 of 1836 segments at the best reconstruction interval. There was no correlation between mean heart rate and image quality for all segments of the right coronary and left anterior descending arteries, but there was a significant correlation for left circumflex artery (r = 0.33, P < .05). Heart rate variability was correlated with image quality overall (r = 0.75, P < .001) and for each coronary artery. Heart rate was less variable and image quality was better (P < .05) in patients receiving beta-blockers. Best image quality was obtained in diastole with heart rate less than 80 beats per minute and in systole with faster heart rate. CONCLUSION: Coronary angiography with 64-section CT provides diagnostic image quality within a wide range of heart rates. Reducing average heart rate and heart rate variability is beneficial for reducing artifacts.     

Correction for heart rate variability during 3D whole heart MR coronary angiography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a real-time adaptive trigger delay on image quality to correct for heart rate variability in 3D whole-heart coronary MR angiography (MRA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve healthy adults underwent 3D whole-heart coronary MRA with and without the use of an adaptive trigger delay. The moment of minimal coronary artery motion was visually determined on a high temporal resolution MRI. Throughout the scan performed without adaptive trigger delay, trigger delay was kept constant, whereas during the scan performed with adaptive trigger delay, trigger delay was continuously updated after each RR-interval using physiological modeling. Signal-to-noise, contrast-to-noise, vessel length, vessel sharpness, and subjective image quality were compared in a blinded manner. RESULTS: Vessel sharpness improved significantly for the middle segment of the right coronary artery (RCA) with the use of the adaptive trigger delay (52.3 +/- 7.1% versus 48.9 +/- 7.9%, P = 0.026). Subjective image quality was significantly better in the middle segments of the RCA and left anterior descending artery (LAD) when the scan was performed with adaptive trigger delay compared to constant trigger delay. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the use of an adaptive trigger delay to correct for heart rate variability improves image quality mainly in the middle segments of the RCA and LAD.     

64层探测器CT冠状动脉成像依据不同心率的最佳重建方案

目的:探讨64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像不同心率下冠状动脉各节段血管的最佳重建时相。方法:对61例患者行64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像,扫描后原始数据分别按R-R间期30%、35%、40%、45%、50%、60%、70%、75%的相位进行后处理重组,按扫描期间平均心率分组,Ⅰ组30例,心率70次/min;Ⅱ组31例,心率≥70次/min。分析不同心率组不同R-R时相对各支冠状动脉血管的显示情况。结果:Ⅰ组的所有的冠状动脉节段可以在单一的75%相位上获得最佳图像质量;Ⅱ组的所有冠状动脉可以在单一的45%或40%的相位上获得最佳图像质量,多时相重建并不能显著提高图像质量。结论:随着64层螺旋CT时间分辨率的充分发展,所有冠状动脉节段能在一个重建时相得到有诊断价值的图像,多时相重建并不能显著提高图像质量。     

Electrocardiogram-independent image reconstruction in cardiac multidetector computed tomography using retrospective motion synchronization

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate an electrocardiogram (ECG)-independent image reconstruction technique for coronary computed tomography (CT)-angiography based on cardiac motion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The raw data from 20 patients was reconstructed with both an ECG-gated algorithm and a motion-dependent algorithm that calculates the cardiac motion-function directly from the CT raw data using a center of mass technique. Images were reconstructed in 5% steps over the R-R interval and the cardiac motion-cycle. For both approaches multiplanar reformations were created and the set of images with the least motion artifacts was used for the evaluation. Motion artifacts affecting the ascending aorta, the left main coronary artery and the entire course of the LAD, LCX and RCA were scored using a 5-point scale. RESULTS: The mean optimal reconstruction window was at 60% of the R-R interval and 30% of the cardiac motion cycle. A total of 73 of 100 vascular regions showed no motion artifacts in ECG-gated images, with the motion-synchronized algorithm only 41 regions were free of motion artifacts. The mean motion-score was 1.4 (+/-0.6) and 2.4 (+/-1.2) respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the currently implemented form the motion-gated algorithm is inferior to ECG-gated image reconstruction but can be used in patients with an incomplete or corrupt ECG-signal.     

Contrast-enhanced coronary artery visualization by dual-source computed tomography--initial experience

Multi-detector computed tomography (CT) scanners, by virtue of their high temporal and spatial resolution, permit imaging of the coronary arteries. However, motion artifacts, especially in patients with higher heart rates, can impair image quality. We thus evaluated the performance of a new dual-source CT (DSCT) with a heart rate independent temporal resolution of 83 ms for the visualization of the coronary arteries in 14 consecutive patients. METHODS: Fourteen patients (mean age 61 years, mean heart rate 71 min(-1)) were studied by DSCT. The system combines two arrays of an X-ray tube plus detector (64 slices) mounted on a single gantry at an angle of 90 degrees With a rotation speed of 330 ms, a temporal resolution of 83 ms (one-quarter rotation) can be achieved independent of heart rate. For data acquisition, intraveous contrast agent was injected at a rate of 5 ml/s. Images were reconstructed with 0.75 slice thickness and 0.5 mm increment. The data sets were evaluated concerning visibility of the coronary arteries and occurrence of motion artifact. RESULTS: Visualization of the coronary arteries was successful in all patients. Most frequently, image reconstruction at 70% of the cardiac cycle provided for optimal image quality (50% of patients). Of a total of 226 coronary artery segments, 222 (98%) were visualized free of motion artifact. In summary, DSCT constitutes a promising new concept for cardiac CT. High and heart rate independent temporal resolution permits imaging of the coronary arteries without motion artifacts in a substantially increased number of patients as compared to earlier scanner generations. Larger and appropriately designed studies will need to determine the method's accuracy for detection of coronary artery stenoses.     

Coronary artery bypass grafts: ECG-gated multi-detector row CT angiography--influence of image reconstruction interval on graft visibility

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of different reconstruction intervals of retrospectively electrocardiographically (ECG)-gated multi-detector row computed tomographic (CT) angiography on image quality of different segments of various types of coronary artery bypass grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with 62 grafts underwent retrospectively ECG-gated four-channel multi-detector row CT angiography and conventional coronary angiography. Raw helical CT data were reconstructed at 0%-90% of the cardiac cycle in increments of 10%. Each graft was separated into three segments (proximal segment, graft body, and distal anastomosis). Three graft types were identified according to site of distal anastomosis. Two readers assessed image quality of segments and graft types. Effective radiation dose was calculated. RESULTS: Best image quality of all segments was obtained at a reconstruction interval of 50%-70% of the cardiac cycle. Image quality of the proximal segment did not vary significantly with different reconstruction intervals (analysis of variance, P =.8), whereas image quality of the graft body and distal anastomosis changed significantly with varying reconstruction intervals (P <.001). Distal anastomosis and body of types 1 and 2 grafts were best seen at 60%-70% of the cardiac cycle, whereas distal anastomosis and body of type 3 grafts were best visualized at 50%. Accuracy of CT angiography for detection of graft patency was 94% for reader 1 and 95% for reader 2. Effective dose for CT was 11.4 mSv for both men and women. Mean effective dose for angiography was 2.1 mSv for men and women. CONCLUSION: Optimal selection of reconstruction interval improves image quality of the graft body and of distal anastomosis in particular.     

Quantitative parameters of image quality in 64-slice computed tomography angiography of the coronary arteries

We explored quantitative parameters of image quality in consecutive patients undergoing 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) coronary angiography for clinical reasons. Forty-two patients (36 men, mean age 61 +/- 11 years, mean heart rate 63 +/- 10 bpm) underwent contrast-enhanced MDCT coronary angiography with a 64-slice scanner (Siemens Sensation 64, 64 mm x 0.6 mm collimation, 330 ms tube rotation, 850 mAs, 120 kV). Two independent observers measured the overall visualized vessel length and the length of the coronary arteries visualized without motion artifacts in curved multiplanar reformatted images. Contrast-to-noise ratio was measured in the proximal and distal segments of the coronary arteries. The mean length of visualized coronary arteries was: left main 12 +/- 6 mm, left anterior descending 149 +/- 25 mm, left circumflex 89 +/- 30 mm, and right coronary artery 161 +/- 38 mm. On average, 97 +/- 5% of the total visualized vessel length was depicted without motion artifacts (left main 100 +/- 0%, left anterior descending 97 +/- 6%, left circumflex 98 +/- 5%, and right coronary artery 95 +/- 6%). In 27 patients with a heart rate < or = 65 bpm, 98 +/- 4% of the overall visualized vessel length was imaged without motion artifacts, whereas 96+/-6% of the overall visualized vessel length was imaged without motion artifacts in 15 patients with a heart rate > 65 bpm (p < 0.001). The mean contrast-to-noise ratio in all measured coronary arteries was 14.6 +/- 4.7 (proximal coronary segments: range 15.1 +/- 4.4 to 16.1 +/- 5.0, distal coronary segments: range 11.4 +/- 4.2 to 15.9 +/- 4.9). In conclusion, 64-slice MDCT permits reliable visualization of the coronary arteries with minimal motion artifacts and high CNR in consecutive patients referred for non-invasive MDCT coronary angiography. Low heart rate is an important prerequisite for excellent image quality.     

冠状动脉多层螺旋CT检查技术及价值初步探讨

目的　初步探讨冠状动脉多层螺旋CT(MSCT)检查技术及临床应用价值。资料与方法　 5 5例心绞痛患者于冠状动脉造影前行MSCT检查 ,用容积重建和曲面重建技术作图像后处理 ,回顾性分析心电门控重建图像质量的重要因素 ,包括心率和心动周期的选择 ,并以冠状动脉造影为金标准对照分析MSCT的检查结果。结果　心率5 1～ 70次 /min病例图像的运动伪影较少 ,显示率依次为左主干、前降支、回旋支和右主干 ,MSCT显示冠状动脉闭塞和 >75 %狭窄准确性较高 ,并可显示冠状动脉变异和邻近脏器病变。结论　冠状动脉MSCT检查结果与冠状动脉造影有较高的一致性 ,有望成为筛选冠状动脉病变的首选无创检查方法     

Contrast-enhanced 4D radial coronary artery imaging at 3.0 T within a single breath-hold.

Coronary magnetic resonance angiography data are usually acquired during mid-diastole of each heartbeat to minimize cardiac motion related artifacts. The proper trigger delay time, which may vary widely among subjects, must be determined individually for each subject before data acquisition to achieve optimal image quality. These complications could be resolved by acquiring contiguous cardiac phase images through the cardiac cycle. In this study, we used a radial sampling technique to acquire 3D cine coronary artery images at 3 T within a single breath-hold. An extravascular, paramagnetic contrast agent was i.v. administered to improve the blood signal intensity. Relatively high temporal resolution and spatial resolution were achieved simultaneously with radial sampling, parallel data acquisition, and interleaved sliding window image reconstruction. Volunteer studies demonstrate the feasibility of this technique in acquiring 4D coronary artery images and the flexibility in postprocessing of 3D image sets.     

双源CT冠状动脉成像的图像质量及重组时相与心率的关系

目的 探讨双源CT冠状动脉成像的图像质量和重组时相与心率的关系.方法 对95例临床可疑冠心病患者进行双源CT增强扫描,检查前均不使用β受体阻滞剂控制心率.按扫描时心率分为3组:低心率组(≤70 次/min)26例,中心率组(71～90 次/min)37例,高心率组(t≥91 次/min)32例.利用回顾性心电门控重建出10%～100% R-R时相的图像,分析不同R-R时相冠状动脉的图像质量情况及其与心率的关系.结果 低、中、高心率3组图像质量评分分别为(1.08±0.27)、(1.32±0.58)、(1.47±0.61)分,低心率和中心率组图像质量评分差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),低心率组图像质量评分显著优于高心率组(P＜0.05),中心率组和高心率组图像质量评分差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).只有1.4%(19/1386)的冠状动脉节段不可评价.74例患者(77.9%)可在单一重组时相获得冠状动脉各段最佳图像质量.低心率组23例(88.5%)最佳重组时相在舒张中晚期;高心率组27例(84.4%)的最佳重组时相前移至舒张早期和收缩末期.结论 双源CT能够在相当宽的心率范围内提供优良的图像质量;多数患者可在单一时相获得各支冠状动脉最佳质量图像,随着心率的增快最佳重组时相从舒张中晚期前移至舒张早期和收缩末期.     

Malignant right coronary artery anomaly simulated by motion artifacts on MDCT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of anomalous right coronary artery imitation due to motion artifacts in MDCT. Routine chest MDCT for reasons other than cardiac or vascular imaging is usually performed using breath-hold technique but without retrospective ECG gating and consequently yields pulsating motion artifacts. A possible artifact in front of the aortic root imitates an anomalous right coronary artery originating from the left posterior sinus. This course of the right coronary artery is considered a malignant variant and raises the question of far-reaching consequences such as a bypass operation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study involving 355 patients undergoing routine chest CT examinations. To determine the prevalence of anomalous right coronary artery imitation caused by this motion artifact, all images were evaluated prospectively by an experienced radiologist. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (5.9%) were suspected of having a malignant variant of the right coronary artery. However, in all patients prior chest CT or additional coronary MR angiography showed a normal origin of the right coronary artery. CONCLUSION: Routine chest MDCT without retrospective ECG gating may produce artifacts around the aorta simulating a malignant variant of the right coronary artery. Considering the low incidence of this malignant interarterial variant, the need for routine chest CT examinations combined with ECG gating and further workup can be disputed from an economic point of view. This artifact should be known to avoid unnecessary further examinations.     

Influence of heart rate in the selection of the optimal reconstruction window in routine clinical multislice coronary angiography

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to assess the influence of heart rate on the selection of the optimal reconstruction window with 40-slice multidetector-row computed tomography (40-MDCT) coronary angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 170 patients (114 men, age 60+/-11.3 years) with suspected or known coronary artery disease with 40-MDCT coronary angiography. Patients [mean heart rate (HR) 62.9+/-9.3 bpm, range 42-94 bpm] were clustered in two groups (group A: HR 65 bpm). Multiphase reconstruction data sets were obtained with a retrospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated 40-MDCT coronary angiography scan from 0% to 95% every 5% of the R-R interval. Two radiologists in consensus evaluated the best data sets for diagnostic purposes. RESULTS: In group A, the optimal reconstruction windows were at 70% (55/110, 71/110 and 69/110 for the right coronary artery, left anterior descending and the left circumflex, respectively) and 75% (26/110, 28/110 and 28/110, respectively) of the R-R interval. In group B, a wide range of reconstruction windows were employed, both in the end-systolic phase at 40% (32/60, 18/60 and 17/60, for the right coronary artery, left anterior descending and circumflex, respectively) and diastolic phases at 70% (12/60, 22/60 and 19/60, respectively). Six scans were excluded due to severe respiratory artefacts. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal position of the image reconstruction window relative to the cardiac cycle is significantly influenced by the heart rate during scanning. Diastolic reconstruction phases often allowed an optimal assessment in group A. Reconstruction phases from 30% to 45% are advisable for higher heart rates.     

Examination of the optimal temporal resolution required for computed tomography coronary angiography

Sub-second multidetector-row computed tomography systems provide great potential for the further improvement of CT coronary angiography (CTCA). However, because the temporal resolution (TR) of such CT systems is insufficient, blurring and artifacts produced by fast cardiac motion remain as unresolved issues. Previous TR investigations of CTCA were based on the retrospective electrocardiogram-gated multisegment reconstruction technique. However, the results obtained may not necessarily be correct because the TR of multisegment reconstruction may not be substantial due to the insufficient periodicity of cardiac motion. The optimal TR required for better CTCA images was evaluated with use of a dual-source CT system, which has various substantial TR modes (83, 125, and 165 ms). CTCA images of 147 patients with heart rates (HRs) ranging from 36 to 117 beats/minute (bpm) were evaluated visually on a 4-point scale. Our results revealed not only that the 165-ms TR is sufficient for low HRs (≤60 bpm), but also that the 83- and 125-ms TRs are unnecessary for such HRs. The image quality with the 125-ms TR mode was acceptable for the left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery at low to intermediate HRs (≤70 bpm). At high HRs (>70 bpm), the 83-ms TR mode resulted in an excellent image quality for all cases except those with very rapid RCA motion. Adequate TRs for a wide range of heart rates (52–106 bpm) are thus clarified.     

Improvement of image quality with beta-blocker premedication on ECG-gated 16-MDCT coronary angiography

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to assess the effect of beta-blockers on image quality of ECG-gated 16-MDCT coronary angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Coronary CT angiography was performed in two groups: group 1, 24 volunteers (mean age, 50 years; mean heart rate, 69 beats per minute [bpm]; range, 47-97 bpm); and group 2, 15 patients with current ischemic heart disease (mean age, 54 years; mean heart rate, 54 bpm; range, 48-69 bpm) who were premedicated with 20-40 mg of oral propranolol 1 hr before the study. CT scans were obtained on a 16-MDCT scanner with a 12 x 0.75 mm collimation and 420-msec rotation using nonionic contrast material (80 mL; injection rate, 4 ml/sec). Images were reconstructed at 30-80% of the cardiac cycle in increments of 5%. Image quality of the following eight coronary segments was assessed by two radiologists in consensus: left main coronary artery; proximal and middle segments of the left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCX) coronary arteries; and the proximal, middle, and distal segments of the right coronary artery (RCA). Image quality was assessed, using a 5-point grading scale, as grades 1-5. Images assessed as grade 4 or 5 were considered to be of diagnostically acceptable quality. RESULTS: In group 1, grade 4 or 5 image quality was achieved for visualization of 92% of the left main coronary arteries; 96% of the proximal LAD coronary arteries; 88% of the middle LAD, proximal LCX, and middle LCX coronary arteries; 83% of the proximal RCAs; 58% of the middle RCAs; and 96% of the distal RCAs. In group 2, this level of image quality was achieved in 100% of the left main coronary arteries, proximal and middle LAD arteries, and proximal LCX arteries; 87% of the middle LCX arteries; and 93% of the proximal, middle, and distal RCAs. CONCLUSION: Reduction of heart rates with beta-blocker premedication improves the image quality of CT coronary angiography, especially in terms of the visualization of the right coronary artery.