Direct comparison of stress- and rest-dual-energy computed tomography for detection of myocardial perfusion defect

We assessed the diagnostic performance of stress- and rest-dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) and their incremental value when used with coronary CT angiography (CCTA) compared with combined invasive coronary angiography (ICA)/cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for detecting hemodynamically significant stenosis causing a myocardial perfusion defect. Forty patients (30 men; mean age, 63.4 ± 8.8 years) with known or suspected coronary artery disease detected by CCTA underwent stress- and rest-DECT, CMR, and ICA. DECT iodine maps were compared with CMR on a per-segment and per-vessel basis. Diagnostic value of CCTA was assessed on a per-vessel basis before and after stress- and rest-DECT and compared to that of ICA/CMR. Compared to CMR, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of rest-DECT for detecting segment (vessel)-based perfusion defects were 29 % (46 %), 88 % (79 %), 56 % (61 %), and 70 % (67 %), respectively. Corresponding values using stress-DECT were 73 % (94 %), 83 % (74 %), 70 % (72 %), and 85 % (95 %), respectively. There was fair (κ = 0.39) agreement between rest- and stress-DECT iodine maps in identifying segments with perfusion defects. Compared with the ICA/CMR for identifying hemodynamically significant stenoses, per-vessel territory sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of CCTA were 91, 56, 55, and 91 %, respectively; those using CCTA/rest-DECT were 42, 83, 59, and 70 %, respectively; and those using CCTA/stress-DECT were 87, 79, 71, and 91 %, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve decreased from 0.74 to 0.62 (P = 0.06) using CCTA/rest-DECT but increased to 0.83 (P = 0.02) using CCTA/stress-DECT. Stress-DECT has incremental value when used with CCTA for detecting hemodynamically significant stenoses.     

Computed tomography coronary angiography with a consistent dose below 2 mSv using double prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch spiral acquisition in patients with atrial fibrillation: initial experience

To evaluate the feasibility and imaging quality of double prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch spiral acquisition mode (double flash mode) for coronary computed tomography angiography (CTCA) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). 47 patients (11 women, 36 men; mean age 64.5 ± 12.1 years) were enrolled for CTCA examinations using a dual-source CT with 2 × 128 × 0.6 mm collimation, 0.28 s rotation time and a pitch of 3.4. Double flash mode was prospectively triggered first at 60 % and later at 30 % of the R–R interval within two cardiac cycles. Image quality was evaluated using a four-point scale (1 = excellent, 4 = non-assessable). From 672 coronary artery segments, 77.5 % (521/672) was rated as score of 1, 20.8 % (140/672) as score of 2, 1.2 % (8/672) as score of 3 and 0.4 % (3/672) was rated as ‘non-assessable’. The average image quality score was 1.25 ± 0.38 on a per segment basis. Mean dose-length product for CTCA was 92.6 ± 28.2 mGy cm, the effective dose was 1.30 ± 0.39 mSv (0.64–1.97 mSv). In patients with AF, double prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch spiral acquisition mode could be a feasible and valuable scan mode for CTCA with a consistent dose below 2 mSv as well as diagnostic imaging quality.     

64排螺旋CT对伴有钙化的冠状动脉狭窄诊断准确性的多中心研究

评价64排螺旋CT在不同情况下对冠状动脉钙化病变所致狭窄的诊断准确性. 方法 收集165例经CT冠状动脉成像(CTCA)检查发现冠状动脉钙化并至少1个主要分支狭窄＞50%的患者,分别以个体、冠状动脉主支、节段、病变狭窄程度及钙化斑块形态为分析对象,测量Agatston积分(ACS)和狭窄率.以冠状动脉造影(CAG)作为标准,通过绘制ROC曲线来判定不同情况下CTCA的诊断价值并确定最佳的诊断切点. 结果 以个体为分析对象,ROC曲线下面积为0.791,以ACS值113.5为切点时诊断准确性最高.以冠状动脉主支为分析对象,对右冠状动脉及其属支狭窄的诊断效果最佳,ROC曲线下面积为0.897.以冠状动脉节段为分析对象,对RCA1段狭窄诊断准确性最高,ROC曲线下面积为0.894.以钙化斑块形态为研究对象,ROC曲线下面积仅在0.601～0.667之间,诊断价值较低.CTCA对狭窄程度＜50%的狭窄诊断价值较大,曲线下面积为0.856. 结论 CTCA中,钙化对不同主支、不同节段及不同狭窄程度冠状动脉狭窄的诊断准确性影响不同;钙化斑块的形态不是影响诊断准确性的主要因素.     

CT-based myocardial ischemia evaluation: quantitative angiography,transluminal attenuation gradient,myocardial perfusion,and CT-derived fractional flow reserve

The detection of hemodynamically significant stenosis is important because ischemia-guided revascularization improves overall patient outcomes. Fractional flow reserve (FFR), which is measured during invasive coronary angiography, is regarded as the gold standard for determining hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis. Although coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has been widely used to exclude significant coronary artery disease in patients with low to intermediate pretest probability, anatomic assessment by CCTA using diameter stenosis ≥50 % does not correlate well with the functional assessment of FFR. To overcome the weaknesses of conventional CCTA, such as its low specificity and positive predictive value, especially in patients with a small-diameter artery, poor image quality, or high calcium score, more sophisticated CCTA analysis methods have been developed to detect hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis. Studies that use the quantification of coronary plaque, transluminal attenuation gradient (TAG), CT myocardial perfusion (CTP), and CT-derived FFR have been conducted to validate their diagnostic performances, though each method has its pros and cons. This review provides details on the quantification of coronary plaque, TAG, CTP, and CT-derived FFR, including a definition of each, how to gather and interpret data, and the strengths and limitations of each. Further, we provide an overview of recent clinical studies.     

CT myocardial perfusion imaging: current status and future perspectives

Computed tomography myocardial perfusion (CTP) combined with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) may constitute a “1-stop shop” for the noninvasive diagnosis of hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis during a single CT examination. CTP shows high diagnostic performance and provides incremental value over CCTA for the detection of hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis in patients with a high Agatston calcium score or coronary artery stents. Future studies should determine the optimal protocol and clinical value of CTP for guiding revascularization strategy and prognostication. In this article, we review the current status and future perspectives of CTP, focusing on technical considerations, clinical applications, and future research topics.     

The diagnostic accuracy of coronary computed tomography angiography in patients with and without previous coronary interventions

BackgroundInvasive coronary angiography (ICA) is the gold standard for imaging coronary arteries and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has undergone remarkable progress in the diagnosis of CAD.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of prior vs no previous coronary interventions on the diagnostic accuracy of CCTA as an alternative to ICA to improve health outcomes for patients with suspected CAD.MethodsA prospective cohort study was carried out among patients suspected of CAD and for evaluation of grafts and stents to investigate recurrent ischemic symptoms. 120 patients imaged by CCTA were then referred to ICA, which is considered the gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of CCTA were assessed relative to ICA.ResultsBased on a per-patient analysis, the comparison with ICA reveals variations in sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of CCTA. In patients without any previous coronary interventions, the sensitivity was 97.8%, and specificity was 95.6%. The PPV and NPV were 97.8% and 95.5%, respectively. Regarding patients with coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG), the sensitivity was 95% and specificity 100%. The PPV and NPV were 100% and 90.9%, respectively. Regarding patients with prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the results were a sensitivity of 84.6%, specificity of 77.8%, PPV of 84.6% and NPV of 77.8%.ConclusionCCTA is a powerful diagnostic tool, especially for the evaluation of the major coronary arteries and evaluation of patients with prior CABG. ICA is recommended for evaluation of patients with an intracoronary stent.     

Prospective ECG-triggered sequential scan protocol for coronary dual-source CT angiography: initial experience

The exposure to ionizing radiation has raised concerns about coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Recently, prospective ECG-triggered sequential scan technique has been introduced in CCTA to significantly reduce radiation exposure. The purpose of this study was to analyze our experience with the sequential scan technique on a dual-source CT system with respect to image quality and radiation dose. Qualitative and quantitative image quality as well as radiation dose were assessed in 514 consecutive patients undergoing CCTA either with sequential or spiral image acquisition technique on dual-source CT. The selection of the applied scan technique was at the discretion of an experienced coronary CT angiographer. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to identify predictors of diagnostic image quality. Diagnostic CCTA image quality was found in 1,395/1,429 (97.6%) versus 4,664/4,782 (97.5%) of the coronary segments in patients studied with sequential versus spiral scanning (P = 0.82). While the application of betablockers for CCTA was an independent factor for improved image quality in the multivariate regression analysis, heart rate variability and body mass index were indepentently associated with a deterioriated image quality. The scan technique had no independent impact on diagnostic image quality. Mean estimated radiation dose was reduced by 63% in patients studied with sequential scan technique (3.4 ± 2.2 vs. 7.6 ± 5.0 mSv, P < 0.01). In patients with a low and stable heart rate, the sequential scan technique is a promising method to effectively reduce radiation exposure in dual-source CCTA. Due to the comparable image quality in sequential and spiral dual-source CCTA, the sequential scan technique should be considered as the primary scan protocol in appropriate patients.     

German cardiac CT registry: indications,procedural data and clinical consequences in 7061 patients undergoing cardiac computed tomography

Cardiac computed tomography permits quantification of coronary calcification as well as detection of coronary artery stenoses after contrast enhancement. Moreover, cardiac CT offers high-resolution morphologic and functional imaging of cardiac structures which is valuable for various structural heart disease interventions and electrophysiology procedures. So far, only limited data exist regarding the spectrum of indications, image acquisition parameters as well as results and clinical consequences of cardiac CT examinations using state-of-the-art CT systems in experienced centers. Twelve cardiology centers with profound expertise in cardiovascular imaging participated in the German Cardiac CT Registry. Criteria for participation included adequate experience in cardiac CT as well of the availability of a 64-slice or newer CT system. Between 2009 and 2014, 7061 patients were prospectively enrolled. For all cardiac CT examinations, patient parameters, procedural data, indication and clinical consequences of the examination were documented. Mean patient age was 61?±?12 years, 63% were males. The majority (63%) of all cardiac CT examinations were performed in an outpatient setting, 37% were performed during an inpatient stay. 91% were elective and 9% were scheduled in an acute setting. In most examinations (48%), reporting was performed by cardiologists, in 4% by radiologists and in 47% of the cases as a consensus reading. Cardiac CT was limited to native acquisitions for assessment of coronary artery calcification in 9% of patients, only contrast-enhanced coronary CT angiography was performed in 16.6% and combined native and contrast-enhanced coronary CT angiography was performed in 57.7% of patients. Non-coronary cardiac CT examinations constituted 16.6% of all cases. Coronary artery calcification assessment was performed using prospectively ECG-triggered acquisition in 76.9% of all cases. The median dose length product (DLP) was 42 mGy cm (estimated effective radiation dose of 0.6 mSv). Coronary CT angiography was performed using prospectively ECG-triggered acquisition in 77.3% of all cases. Tube voltage was 120 kV in 67.8% of patients and 100 kV in 30.7% of patients, with a resultant median DLP of 256 mGy cm (estimated effective dose of 3.6 mSv). Clinical consequences of cardiac CT were as follows: in 46.8% of the cases, invasive coronary angiography could be avoided; ischemia testing was recommended in 4.7% of the cases, invasive coronary angiography was recommended in 16.4% of the cases and change in medication in 21.6% of the examinations. Cardiac CT is performed in the majority of patients for non-invasive evaluation of the coronary arteries. CT frequently resulted in medication change, and otherwise planned downstream testing including invasive angiography could be avoided in a high percentage of patients. Radiation exposure in experienced centers is relatively low.     

Feasibility and diagnostic performance of fractional flow reserve measurement derived from coronary computed tomography angiography in real clinical practice

Non-invasive fractional flow reserve measured by coronary computed tomography angiography (FFR_CT) has demonstrated a high diagnostic accuracy for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD) in selected patients in prior clinical trials. However, feasibility of FFR_CT in unselected population have not been fully evaluated. Among 60 consecutive patients who had suspected significant CAD by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and were planned to undergo invasive coronary angiography, 48 patients were enrolled in this study comparing FFR_CT with invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) without any exclusion criteria for the quality of CCTA image. FFR_CT was measured in a blinded fashion by an independent core laboratory. FFR_CT value was evaluable in 43 out of 48 (89.6?%) patients with high prevalence of severe calcification in CCTA images [calcium score (CS) >400: 40?%, and CS?>?1000: 19?%). Per-vessel FFR_CT value showed good correlation with invasive FFR value (Spearman’s rank correlation?=?0.69, P?<?0.001). The area under the receiver operator characteristics curve (AUC) of FFR_CT was 0.87. Per-vessel accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 68.6, 92.9, 52.4, 56.5, and 91.7?%, respectively. Even in eight patients (13 vessels) with extremely severely calcified lesions (CS?>?1000), per-vessel FFR_CT value showed a diagnostic performance similar to that in patients with CS?≤?1000 (Spearman’s rank correlation?=?0.81, P?<?0.001). FFR_CT could be measured in the majority of consecutive patients who had suspected significant CAD by CCTA in real clinical practice and demonstrated good diagnostic performance for detecting hemodynamically significant CAD even in patients with extremely severe calcified vessels.     

Diagnostic accuracy of 320-row computed tomography as compared with invasive coronary angiography in unselected, consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease

Noninvasive coronary angiography with multislice computed tomography (CT) scanners is feasible with high sensitivity and negative predictive value. The radiation exposure associated with this technique, however, is high and concerns in the widespread use of CT have arisen. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of coronary angiography using 320-row CT, which avoids exposure-intensive overscanning and overranging. We prospectively studied 118 unselected consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) referred for invasive coronary angiography (ICA). All patients had 320-row CT within 1 week of ICA, which, together with quantitative analysis, served as the reference standard. Of the 65 out of 118 patients who were diagnosed as having CAD by ICA, 64 (98 %) were correctly identified at 320-row CT. Noteworthy, 320-row CT correctly detected CAD in 3 patients with atrial fibrillation and ruled out the disease in the other 8 patients. From 151 significant coronary stenoses detected on ICA, 137 (91 %) were correctly identified with 320-row CT. In the per-patient analysis, sensitivity and specificity of 320-row CT were 98 and 91 %, respectively. In the per-vessel analysis, sensitivity and specificity of 320-row CT were 93 and 95 %, respectively. In the per segment analysis, sensitivity and specificity of 320-row CT were 91 and 99 %, respectively. Diameter stenosis determined with the use of CT showed good correlation with ICA (P < 0.001, R = 0.81) without significant underestimation or overestimation (?3.1 ± 24.4 %; P = 0.08). Comparison of CT with ICA revealed a significantly smaller effective radiation dose (3.1 ± 2.3 vs. 6.5 ± 4.2 mSv; P < 0.05) and amount of contrast agent required (99 ± 51 vs. 65 ± 42 ml, P < 0.05) for 320 row CT. The present study in an unselected population including patients with atrial fibrillation demonstrates that 320-row CT may significantly reduce the radiation dose and amount of contrast agent required compared with ICA while maintaining a very high diagnostic accuracy.     

Advances in Contrast-Enhanced Cardiovascular CT for the Evaluation of Myocardial Perfusion

Multidetector CT (MDCT) angiography is a robust method for the accurate diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in selected patient populations. Recent advances in CT technology have broadened the application of MDCT as a stand-alone imaging modality to identify both CAD and myocardial ischemia in a single examination. Although myocardial perfusion scintigraphy has an extensive evidence base for the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia, MDCT perfusion imaging has several potential advantages including better spatial resolution, which may allow more accurate detection of small areas of ischemia, as well as ability to detect actual rather than relative blood flow, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy for detecting hemodynamically significant multivessel CAD. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the evolution of technical and practical aspects related to MDCT perfusion imaging, and to highlight important studies that have assessed the diagnostic accuracy of MDCT stress perfusion imaging, concluding with the emerging role of 320-detector row MDCT.     

Subtraction coronary CT angiography using second-generation 320-detector row CT

The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of subtraction coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) by second-generation 320-detector row CT in patients with severe coronary artery calcification using invasive coronary angiography (ICA) as the gold standard. This study was approved by the institutional board, and all subjects provided written consent. Twenty patients with calcium scores of >400 underwent conventional CCTA and subtraction CCTA followed by ICA. A total of 82 segments were evaluated for image quality using a 4-point scale and the presence of significant (>50 %) luminal stenosis by two independent readers. The average image quality was 2.3 ± 0.8 with conventional CCTA and 3.2 ± 0.6 with subtraction CCTA (P < 0.001). The percentage of segments with non-diagnostic image quality was 43.9 % on conventional CCTA versus 8.5 % on subtraction CCTA (P = 0.004). The segment-based diagnostic accuracy for detecting significant stenosis according to ICA revealed an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.824 (95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.750–0.899) for conventional CCTA and 0.936 (95 % CI 0.889–0.936) for subtraction CCTA (P = 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for conventional CCTA were 88.2, 62.5, 62.5, and 88.2 %, respectively, and for subtraction CCTA they were 94.1, 85.4, 82.1, and 95.3 %, respectively. As compared to conventional, subtraction CCTA using a second-generation 320-detector row CT showed improvement in diagnostic accuracy at segment base analysis in patients with severe calcifications.     

Image quality and radiation dose comparison of prospectively triggered low-dose CCTA: 128-slice dual-source high-pitch spiral versus 64-slice single-source sequential acquisition

Currently 64-multislice computed tomography (MSCT) scanners are the most widely used devices allowing low radiation dose coronary CT angiography (CCTA) with prospective ECG triggering. Latest 128-slice dual-source CT (DSCT) scanners offer prospective high-pitch spiral acquisition covering the heart during one single beat. We compared radiation dose and image quality from prospective 64-MSCT versus high-pitch spiral 128-slice DSCT scanning, as such data is lacking. CCTA of 50 consecutive patients undergoing 128-DSCT (2 × 64 × 0.6 mm collimation, 0.28 s rotation time, 3.4 pitch, 100-120 kV tube voltage and 320 mAs tube current-time product) were compared to CCTA of 50 heart rate (HR) and BMI matched patients undergoing 64-MSCT (64 × 0.625 mm collimation, 0.35 s rotation time, 100-120 kV tube voltage and 400-650 mA tube current). Image quality was rated on a 4-point scale by two independent cardiac imaging physicians (1 = excellent to 4 = non-diagnostic). Of 710 coronary segments assessed on 128-DSCT, 216 (30.4%) achieved an image quality score 1 excellent, 400 (56.3%) score 2, 76 (10.7%) score 3 and 18 (2.6%) score 4 (non-diagnostic). Of 737 coronary segments evaluated on 64-MSCT 271 (36.8%) had an image quality score of 1, 327 (44.4%) 2, 110 (14.9%) score 3, and 29 (3.9%) segments score 4. Average image quality score for both scanners was similar (P = 0.641). The mean heart rate during scanning was 58.7 ± 5.6 bpm on 128-DSCT and 59.0 ± 5.6 bpm on 64-MSCT, respectively. Mean effective radiation dose was 1.0 ± 0.2 mSv for 128-DSCT and 1.7 ± 0.6 mSv for 64-MSCT (P < 0.001). 128-DSCT with high-pitch spiral mode allows CCTA acquisition with reduced radiation dose at maintained image quality compared to 64-MSCT.     

Computer-Aided CT coronary artery stenosis detection: comparison with human reading and quantitative coronary angiography

To evaluate computer-aided stenosis detection for computed tomography coronary angiography (CTA) in comparison with human reading and conventional coronary angiography (CCA) as the reference standard. 50 patients underwent CTA and CCA and out of these 44 were evaluable for computer-aided stenosis detection. The diagnostic performance of the software and of human reading were compared and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) served as the reference standard for the detection of significant stenosis (>50 %). Overall, three readers with high (reader 1), intermediate (reader 2) and low (reader 3) experience in cardiac CT imaging performed the manual CTA evaluation on a commercially available workstation, whereas the automated software processed the datasets without any human interaction. The prevalence of coronary artery disease was 41 % (18/44) and QCA indicated significant stenosis (>50 %) in 33 coronary vessels. The automated software accurately diagnosed 18 individuals with significant coronary artery disease (CAD), and correctly ruled out CAD in 10 patients. In summary the sensitivity of computer-aided detection was 100 %/94 % (per-patient/per-vessel) and the specificity was 38 %/70 %, the positive predictive value (PPV) was 53 %/42 % and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 100 %/98 %. In comparison, reader 1–3 showed per-patient sensitivities of 100/94/89 %, specificities of 73/69/50 %, PPVs of 72/68/55 % and NPVs of 100/95/87 %. Computer-aided detection yields a high NPV that is comparable to more experienced human readers. However, PPV is rather low and in the range of an unexperienced reader.     

Optimizing contrast medium injection protocol individually with body weight for high-pitch prospective ECG-triggering coronary CT angiography

To individually optimize contrast medium protocol for high-pitch prospective ECG-triggering coronary CT angiography using body weight. Ninety patients undergoing high-pitch coronary CT angiography were randomly assigned to 3 contrast medium injection protocols with bolus tracking technique: Group A, 0.7 ml CM per kg patient weight (ml/kg); Group B, 0.6 ml/kg; Group C, 0.5 ml/kg. Each group had 30 patients. The CT values of superior vena cava (SVC), pulmonary artery (PA), ascending aorta (AA), left atrium (LA), left ventricle (LV), left main artery (LM) and proximal segment of right coronary artery (RCA) were measured. The image quality of coronary artery was evaluated on per-segment basis using a 4-point scale (1-excellent, 4-non-diagnosis). The CT value was not significantly different on AA (p = 0.735), LM (p = 0.764), and proximal segment of RCA (p = 0.991). The CT value was significantly different on SVC, PA, LA and LV (all p < 0.05). The mean image quality score was 1.6 ± 0.1, 1.6 ± 0.1 and 1.6 ± 0.1 (p = 0.217). The volume of CM was 47 ± 8, 44 ± 8 and 36 ± 6 ml for 3 groups (p < 0.001). The effective radiation dose was 0.88 ± 0.04, 0.87 ± 0.06, and 0.85 ± 0.07 mSv for 3 groups. Contrast medium could be reduced to 0.5 ml/kg for high-pitch coronary CT angiography without compromising diagnostic image quality, which associated ~50 % reduction of total contrast volume compared with standard contrast protocol with test bolus technique.     

Economic Considerations for Coronary CT Angiography

In recent years, coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has emerged has a noninvasive anatomic imaging modality that demonstrates high diagnostic performance to detect and exclude high-grade coronary artery stenosis. Proponents of CCTA have advocated its use as an effective alternative to functional stress imaging, while critics have maintained that the benefits of CCTA use remain unproven and may promote unnecessary “layering” of imaging studies on top of conventional stress testing. In this review, we consider the clinical and economic data related to CCTA to date, and suggest future studies that may clarify the role of CCTA in daily clinical evaluation of patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease.     

Update on Computed Tomography Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

Purpose of Review

Computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography is a well-validated non-invasive technique for accurate and expedient diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, a limitation of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is its limited capability to identify physiologically significant stenoses, which may eventuate the need for further functional testing. Stress CT myocardial perfusion imaging (CT-MPI) is an emerging technique that has the ability to identify flow-limiting stenoses.

Recent Findings

The combination of CCTA coronary and CT-MPI has transformed the modality from a tool to assess anatomy and morphology to a modality capable of simultaneous assessment of coronary stenoses and their physiologic significance. A growing number of studies have demonstrated the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of CT-MPI in comparison to a number of reference standard modalities for CAD diagnosis, including single-photon emission CT, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, and invasive coronary angiography with and without fractional flow-reserve testing.

Summary

While there is still a need for consensus regarding acquisition techniques as well as analysis and interpretation of CT-MPI, with further validation, it is likely to become a powerful adjunctive tool to CCTA in the management of patients with suspected coronary disease.

     

Assessment of coronary in-stent restenosis: value of subtraction coronary computed tomography angiography

In conventional coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), metal artifacts are frequently observed where stents are located, making it difficult to evaluate in-stent restenosis. This study was conducted to investigate whether subtraction CCTA can improve diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of in-stent restenosis. Subtraction CCTA was performed using 320-row CT in 398 patients with previously placed stents who were able to hold their breath for 25 s and in whom mid-diastolic prospective one-beat scanning was possible. Among these patients, 126 patients (94 men and 32 women, age 74 ± 8 years) with 370 stents who also underwent invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were selected as the subjects of this study. With ICA findings considered the gold standard, conventional CCTA was compared against subtraction CCTA to determine whether subtraction can improve diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of in-stent restenosis. When non-assessable stents were considered to be stenotic, the diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of in-stent restenosis was 62.7 % for conventional CCTA and 89.5 % for subtraction CCTA. When the non-assessable stents were considered to be non-stenotic the diagnostic accuracy was 90.3 % for conventional CCTA and 94.31 % for subtraction CCTA. When subtraction CCTA was used to evaluate only the 138 stents that were judged to be non-assessable by conventional CCTA, 116 of these stents were judged to be assessable, and the findings for 109 of them agreed with those obtained by ICA. Even for stents with an internal diameter of 2.5–3 mm, the lumen can be evaluated in more than 80 % of patients. Subtraction CCTA provides significantly higher diagnostic accuracy than conventional CCTA in the evaluation of in-stent restenosis.     

双源CT冠状动脉成像中前瞻性与回顾性心电触发模式的比较

  目的  比较前瞻性心电触发序列扫描与回顾性心电触发螺旋扫描模式在双源CT冠状动脉成像中的图像质量及放射线剂量。  方法  将70例临床怀疑或已知冠心病的患者随机分为两组, 每组35例, 分别行前瞻性心电触发序列扫描和回顾性心电触发螺旋扫描冠状动脉CT成像, 对两种成像模式的图像质量及放射线剂量进行评价。  结果  两组患者的性别、年龄、体重指数匹配性良好, 差异无统计学意义(P > 0.05)。前瞻性心电触发序列扫描模式组和回顾性心电触发螺旋扫描模式组可评价的冠状动脉节段显示率分别为99.62%和99.62%, 两组间差异无统计学意义(χ²=0.000, P=1.000);两组图像质量评分分别为1.13±0.36和1.04±0.24, 差异有统计学意义(Z=-5.073, P=0.000);前瞻性心电触发序列扫描模式的放射线剂量为(3.47±1.00)mSv, 明显低于回顾性螺旋扫描模式的(14.28±1.81)mSv(P=0.032)。  结论  对于心律齐且心率≤ 70次/min的患者, 尽管前瞻性心电触发序列扫描的图像质量略差于回顾性螺旋扫描模式, 但两者可评价的冠状动脉节段显示率无明显差异, 而前者的有效放射剂量明显减少。     

Dual-source coronary CT angiography in patients with high heart rates using a prospectively ECG-triggered axial mode at end-systole

To determine the feasibility of dual-source coronary CT angiography (CTA) using a prospectively electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered axial mode to target end-systole in patients with high heart rates (HR) as compared with the retrospective mode. One hundred fifty consecutive patients with regular HR > 75 bpm who underwent coronary CTA were enrolled; 75 patients underwent prospectively ECG-triggered coronary CTA targeting only end-systole (Prospective Axial Group) and 75 patients underwent retrospectively ECG-gated coronary CTA (Retrospective Helical Group). The image quality of multiple coronary artery segments was evaluated and radiation doses were recorded. The diagnostic performance of coronary CTA was compared to the reference standard of invasive coronary angiography in 52 patients (35 %) (28 patients in Prospective Axial Group and 24 patients in Retrospective Helical Group). Image quality was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = 0.784). In subgroup analysis, segment-based sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of coronary CTA were 98, 96, 88 and 99 %, respectively, in the Prospective Axial Group and were 97, 95, 82, and 99 %, respectively, in the Retrospective Helical Group. Mean radiation dose was significantly lower for the Prospective Axial Group than for the Retrospective Helical Group (2.9 ± 1.4 vs. 7.4 ± 3.3 mSv; P < 0.0001). Dual source coronary CTA with a prospective ECG-triggered axial mode targeting end-systole is feasible in patients with regular high HRs for evaluation of coronary artery disease. It provides comparable image quality and diagnostic value with substantially lower radiation exposure as compared to the retrospective ECG–gated helical technique.