Reduction of cardiac motion artifact in step-and-shoot coronary CT angiography with third-generation as compared with second-generation dual-source CT scanners

PURPOSEWe aimed to compare the effects of misregistration (stair-step artifact) occurrence during coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) using third- and second-generation dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) scanners.METHODSCCTA was performed in consecutive patients with suspected coronary heart disease. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups and imaged using a third-generation (n=68; group A) or second-generation (n=63; group B) DSCT scanner. Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), the number of acquisition steps required, and the anatomical cardiac length of each patient were recorded and compared between the two groups. Qualitative interpretation and analyses were scored with respect to subjective image quality and misregistration (stair-step artifact) by two interpreters. Cohen’s kappa was used to evaluate the consistency between the observers.RESULTSAll CCTA images (100%) on both DSCT scanners yielded satisfactory image quality, with a subjective image quality score of 4.21±0.17. The consistency between the two observers with respect to misregistration and subjective scores were good (κ= 0.91 and 0.92, respectively). Both the number of acquisition steps required and the scan length of each patient in group A differed significantly (p < 0.001) from those in group B; there were significantly fewer artifacts in group A than in group B (p < 0.001). Misregistration artifacts did not correlate with the HRs or HRVs between two required acquisition steps (p > 0.20).CONCLUSIONAs compared with second-generation DSCT, the reduced number of acquisition steps required and the shorter scan length in third-generation DSCT reduced the occurrence of misregistration artifacts in CCTA images.

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has gained widespread acceptance as the first choice for noninvasive assessment of a wide variety of cardiac diseases, as it has strong negative-predictive value and is effective in ruling out coronary artery disease in symptomatic patients, particularly those with intermediate risk (1). However, despite recent advances in cardiac computed tomography (CT) technologies, such as faster gantry rotation and an increased number of detector rows, CCTA images remain vulnerable to a number of artifacts due to patient- and technique-specific causes. Artifacts in cardiac CT may cause image degradation and interference in diagnosis (2–4), leading to either underdiagnosis or overtreatment, both of which are associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality (5).Misregistration (stair-step) artifact, a type of cardiac motion artifact, appears when the heart is not in an identical position during consecutive heartbeats, because of arrhythmias (5). Avoiding misregistration artifacts between adjacent acquisition steps remains a challenge in step-and-shoot CCTA (6). Numerous studies have investigated step-and-shoot CCTA with different types of CT scanners. A previous study investigated misregistration artifacts with a 64-slice single-source CT (7), another study investigated image quality obtained with 128-slice dual-source CT (DSCT) (8), while yet another study investigated the effect of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) on image quality when using a 256-slice CT scanner (6). Most guidelines state that decreasing the mean HR and HRV is the most important factor for minimizing cardiac motion artifacts (9, 10), including misregistration artifacts. However, it is not clear whether the incidence of misregistration artifacts would be similar in the new-generation DSCT scanners, with their faster gantry speed and increased Z-coverage.Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of occurrence of misregistration artifacts in step-and-shoot CCTA with a third-generation DSCT scanner, as compared with that of a second-generation DSCT scanner.     

Prognostic value of coronary atherosclerosis progression evaluated by coronary CT angiography in patients with stable angina

Objectives

To investigate the progression of coronary atherosclerosis burden by coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and to demonstrate its association with the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Methods

We retrospectively studied patients with stable angina who had undergone repeat CCTA due to recurrent or worsening symptoms. Lipid-rich, fibrous, calcified and total plaque burden as well as coronary diameter stenosis were quantitatively analysed. The incidence of MACE during follow-up was determined.

Results

The final cohort consisted of 268 patients (mean age 52.9 ± 9.8 years, 71 % male) with a mean follow-up period of 4.6 ± 0.9 years. Patients with lipid-rich, fibrous, calcified and total plaque burden (%) progression, as well as coronary diameter stenosis (%) progression had a significantly higher incidence of MACE than those without (all p < 0.05). The progression of lipid-rich plaque (HR = 1.601, p = 0.021), total plaque burden (HR = 2.979, p = 0.043) and coronary diameter stenosis (HR = 4.327, p <0.001) were independent predictors of MACE (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Patients presenting with recurrent or worsening symptoms associated with coronary artery disease who have coronary atherosclerosis progression on CCTA are at an increased risk of future MACE.

Key Points

? Repeat CCTA can provide information regarding the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. ? Coronary atherosclerosis progression at CCTA is independently associated with MACE. ? CCTA findings could serve as incremental predictors of MACE.

     

Coronary Artery Disease in Asymptomatic Young Adults: Its Prevalence According to Coronary Artery Disease Risk Stratification and the CT Characteristics

Objective

We aimed at evaluating the prevalence and CT characteristics of occult coronary artery disease (CAD) in young Korean adults under 40 years of age by performing coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 112 consecutive asymptomatic subjects (90 men, mean age: 35.6 ± 3.7 years) who underwent CCTA as part of a general health evaluation. We classified the subjects into three National Cholesterol Education Program risk categories and we assessed the plaque characteristics on CCTA according to the number of involved vessels, the location and type of plaques and vascular remodeling.

Results

Twelve individuals had CAD (11%, 11 men). The prevalence of CAD was significantly higher in the subgroups with moderate (22%) or high (25%) risk than that in the low risk subgroup (5%) (p < 0.05). Nine patients had single-vessel disease and three patients had two-vessel disease. The most common location for plaque was the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (60%). All the patients had non-significant stenosis and plaque, including the non-calcified (27%), mixed (47%) and calcified (27%) types. Positive vascular remodeling was identified in all the patients with non-calcified or mixed plaques.

Conclusion

The prevalence of occult CAD was not negligible in the asymptomatic young adults with moderate to high risk, and this suggests the importance of management and risk factor modification in this population. All the patients had non-significant stenosis, and one fourth of the plaques did not show calcification.     

Dual-source CT coronary angiography in patients with atrial fibrillation: Comparison with single-source CT

Objective

To evaluate the performance of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) for the visualization of the coronary arteries in a population with atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to single-source CT (SSCT) and to explore the impact of patients’ heart rate (HR) on image quality (IQ) and reconstruction timing.

Methods

Thirty consecutive patients (11 male, 19 female; 69.0 ± 9.2 years old) with suspected coronary artery disease and permanent AF were examined on a DSCT scanner (120 kV, 400 mAs/rot, 0.33 s rotation time, 64 × 0.6 mm collimation, pitch 0.20–0.28, Siemens Somatom Definition). Patients were divided into two groups: low and medium HR group (HR ≤ 80 bpm, n = 14) and high HR group (HR > 80 bpm, n = 16). Five of the patients also underwent conventional coronary angiography (CAG). The raw data from both tube detector arrays were reconstructed as DSCT data using a routine algorithm (temporal resolution of 83 ms). The raw data from one tube detector array was reconstructed separately on the same system using a routine single source algorithm (temporal resolution of 83–165 ms) and defined as virtual SSCT data. Image quality was assessed using a four-point grading scale from excellent (1) to non-assessable (4).

Results

IQ of the DSCT data was significantly better than that of the virtual SSCT data (mean score 1.33 ± 0.61 vs. 1.80 ± 1.02; Z = −8.755, P = 0.000). 98.6% of the segments shown in DSCT were diagnostic, compared with 89.9% of the segments in virtual SSCT, χ² = 32.595, P = 0.000. In DSCT group, IQ of low HR group was also better than that of high HR group, although the difference was not as big (mean score 1.25 ± 0.52 vs. 1.38 ± 0.66; Z = −2.227, P = 0.026). The mean HR of low HR group and high HR group were 67.4 ± 8.5 beats per minute (bpm) and 94.2 ± 8.8 bpm (t = −8.499, P = 0.000). The range of the variation of HR was higher in high HR group than in low HR group (mean difference between maximum and minimum HR 79.5 ± 21.0 vs. 49.9 ± 21.1 bpm; t = −3.845, P = 0.001). In 23 (77%) patients optimal IQ was achieved within one phase for all three main arteries. In low HR group, the optimal phase was distributed evenly between diastole and systole; but in high HR group, the optimal phase shifted to systole in most cases (92%). In five cases these results were compared to CAG results to look for the ability to identify stenosis with a diameter reduction of more than 50% of the lumen. With DSCT it was possible to diagnose 20 of 21 stenosis and 48 of 49 non-stenosed vessel segments correctly. With SSCT 19 of 21 stenosis and 45 of 49 non-stenosed vessel segments were diagnosed correctly according to CAG.

Conclusion

Due to its high temporal resolution, DSCT provides images of full diagnostic image quality in patients with AF, which otherwise would be excluded from CT examinations. The number of assessable segments for DSCT is still somewhat less than in non-AF patients, but in opposition to SSCT still valid for routine diagnostic imaging. Patients’ HR had impact on IQ and reconstruction timing.     

Image quality and reconstruction intervals of dual-source CT coronary angiography: recommendations for ECG-pulsing windowing

PURPOSE: To evaluate reconstruction intervals and image quality in dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) coronary angiography for optimal placement of the ECG-pulsing window. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DSCT coronary angiography was performed in 60 patients. Thirteen datasets were reconstructed in 5% increments from 20-80%. Two readers independently assessed image quality of each segment in each percentage-interval, using scores ranging from 1 (no motion artifacts) to 4 (nonevaluable). RESULTS: Mean heart rate (HR) was 69.0 +/- 18.9 beats per minute (bpm) (range, 35-117 bpm). Diagnostic image quality (scores 1-3) was found in 97.8% of all segments (763 of 780). The 70% RR-interval provided best image quality in all patients and all HRs. The narrowest reconstruction window providing diagnostic image quality was 60-70% for HR <60 bpm, 60-80% for 60-70 bpm, 55-80% for 70-80 bpm, and 30-80% for HR >80 bpm. CONCLUSIONS: DSCT coronary angiography provides best image quality for various HRs at 70%. The ECG-pulsing window can be adapted according to the HR while maintaining diagnostic image quality.     

Attenuation-based characterization of coronary atherosclerotic plaque: Comparison of dual source and dual energy CT with single-source CT and histopathology

Objective

To compare different CT acquisition techniques regarding for attenuation-based characterization of coronary atherosclerotic plaques using histopathology as the standard of reference.

Materials and methods

In a post mortem study 17 human hearts were studied with dual-source CT (DSCT) and dual energy CT (DECT) mode on a DSCT as well as with 16-slice single-source CT (SSCT). At autopsy, atherosclerotic lesions were cut at 5 μm sections. Histopathologic classification of the plaques according to the American Heart Association (AHA) criteria was performed by two pathologists. Attenuation values of all plaques were measured in DSCT, DECT and SSCT studies, respectively and classified based on attenuation according to modified AHA criteria.

Results

58 coronary plaques were identified at autopsy. Regardless of the CT technique only 52/58 plaques were found at CT (sensitivity = 89.6%). There was no significant difference between the mean attenuation values of different plaque types between DSCT, DECT, and SSCT: type IV: 11 HU/8 HU/19 HU; type Va: 44 HU/45 HU/52 HU; type Vb: 1088 HU/966 HU/1079 HU). The sensitivity for correct classification varied depending on the plaque type (type II = 0%, type III = 0%, type IV = 43%, type Va = 58%, Vb = 97%).

Conclusion

Independent of the used acquisition technique, SSCT, DSCT and DECT show similar results for attenuation-based characterization of atherosclerotic coronary plaques.     

Using coronary CT angiography for guiding invasive coronary angiography: potential role to reduce intraprocedural radiation exposure

Objectives

We investigated the potential reduction of patient exposure during invasive coronary angiography (ICA) if the procedure had only been directed to the vessel with at least one ≥ 50% stenosis as described in the CT report.

Methods

Dose reports of 61 patients referred to ICA because of at least one ≥ 50% stenosis on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) were included. Dose–area product (DAP) was documented separately for left (LCA) and right coronary arteries (RCA) by summing up the single DAP for each angiographic projection. The study population was subdivided as follows: coronary intervention of LCA (group 1) or RCA (group 2) only, or of both vessels (group 3), or further bypass grafting (group 4), or no further intervention (group 5).

Results

57.4% of the study population could have benefitted from reduced exposure if catheterization had been directly guided to the vessel of interest as described on CCTA. Mean relative DAP reductions were as follows: group 1 (n = 18), 11.2%; group 2 (n = 2), 40.3%; group 3 (n = 10), 0%; group 4 (n = 3), 0%; group 5 (n = 28), 28.8%.

Conclusions

Directing ICA to the vessel with stenosis as described on CCTA would reduce intraprocedural patient exposure substantially, especially for patients with single-vessel stenosis.

Key points

? Patients with CAD can benefit from decreased radiation exposure during coronary angiography. ? ICA should be directed solely to significant stenoses as described on CCTA. ? Severely calcified plaques remain a limitation of CCTA leading to unnecessary ICA referrals.

     

Coronary CT angiography with dual source computed tomography in 170 patients

Introduction

In preliminary studies DSCT provides robust image quality over a wide range of heart rates and excludes CAD with high accuracy.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reproducibility of these results in a large, unselected and consecutive group of patients scheduled for invasive coronary angiography (ICA).

Material and methods

170 patients (124 men, 46 women; mean age: 64 ± 9 years) with known CAD (101 patients) or suspected CAD (69 patients) scheduled for ICA were examined by coronary CTA prior to ICA. All coronary segments were assessed for image quality (1: excellent; 5: non-diagnostic). The presence of significant vessel stenosis (>50%) was calculated using ICA as standard of reference.

Results

A total of 680 vessels were analyzed. Despite of 45 arrythmic patients all analyzed coronary segments were diagnostically evaluable. Mean Agatston score equivalent was 686 (range 0-4950). ICA revealed 364 lesions with ≥50% diameter stenosis. DSCT correctly identified 336 of these lesions. 115 lesions with a diameter stenosis ≤50% were overestimated by DSCT and thus considered as false-positive findings. On a per-segment basis, sensitivity was 92%, specificity 93%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 75% and negative predictive value (NPV) 98%. On a per-vessel basis DSCT revealed a sensitivity of 93%, a specificity of 88%, a PPV of 78% and a NPV of 97%. On a per-patient basis sensitivity was 94%, specificity 79%, PPV 88% and NPV 90%.

Conclusions

Initial results of preliminary studies showing robust image quality and high accuracy in DSCT cardiac imaging could be approved with the present study enclosing a large consecutive population. However severe coronary calcifications and irregular heart rate still remain limiting factors for coronary CTA.Despite improved image quality and high accuracy of coronary DSCT angiography, proof of indication is necessary, due to still remaining limiting factors.     

Dual energy CT ventilation imaging after aerosol inhalation of iodinated contrast medium in rabbits

Purpose

To obtain consistent CCTA image quality and patient dose optimization with an individualized tube current selection method based on analysis of CT scout scans.

Methods and materials

The study received a waiver of informed consent from the institutional review board. Initially 100 patients (Group A) underwent CCTA with a fixed mA. The scout view pixel value and CCTA image noise were measured. Their correlation was studied to establish a formula to determine the required mA for obtaining a CT exam with a specific image noise. One hundred patients (Group B) were then scanned with the formula-determined mA. CCTA image quality, image noise and effective dose from the two groups were statistically analyzed. CT findings for 32 Group B patients were compared with the conventional coronary angiography.

Results

An average CCTA image noise of 27.6 HU was obtained (target 27 HU) using the formula with more uniform image noise in Group B (standard deviation 2.4 HU) than in Group A (4.1 HU). There was no statistical difference between image quality scores for the two groups. The effective dose for Group B (7.8 mSv) was 30% lower than for Group A (11.2 mSv) (p < 0.01). CCTA sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and stenosis detection accuracy were 94.9%, 92.1%, 88.9%, 96.5% and 93.2%, respectively, for stenosis greater than 50%.

Conclusion

CCTA mA selection based upon the image characteristics of the CT scout view provides an individualized protocol that generates consistent image quality and helps to reduce overall patient dose.     

Image quality and radiation dose of coronary CT angiography performed with whole-heart coverage CT scanner with intra-cycle motion correction algorithm in patients with atrial fibrillation

Objectives

To evaluate image quality, coronary evaluability and radiation exposure of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) performed with whole-heart coverage cardiac-CT in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Materials and methods

We prospectively enrolled 164 patients with AF who underwent a clinically indicated CCTA with a 16-cm z-axis coverage scanner. In all patients CCTA was performed using prospective ECG-triggering with targeted RR interval. We evaluated image quality, coronary evaluability and effective dose (ED). Patients were divided in two subgroups based on heart rate (HR) during imaging. Group 1: 64 patients with low HR (<75 bpm), group 2: 100 patients with high HR (≥75 bpm). Written informed consent was obtained from all patients and the institutional ethics committee approved the study protocol.

Results

In a segment-based analysis, coronary evaluability was 98.4 % (2,577/2,620 segments) in the whole population, without significant differences between groups (1,013/1,024 (98.9 %) and 1,565/1,596 (98.1 %), for groups 1 and 2, respectively, p=0.15). Mean ED was similar in both groups (3.8±1.9 mSv and 3.9±2.1 mSv in groups 1 and 2, respectively, p=0.75)

Conclusions

The whole-heart-coverage scanner could evaluate coronary arteries with high image quality and without increase in radiation exposure in AF patients, even in the high HR group.

Key points

? Last-generation CT scanner improves coronary artery assessment in AF patients. ? The new CT scanner enables low radiation exposure in AF patients. ? Diagnostic ICA maybe avoided in AF patients with suspected CAD. ? Whole-heart coverage CT scanner enables low radiation exposure in AF patients.

     

Performance of turbo high-pitch dual-source CT for coronary CT angiography: first ex vivo and patient experience

Objectives

To evaluate image quality, maximal heart rate allowing for diagnostic imaging, and radiation dose of turbo high-pitch dual-source coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA).

Methods

First, a cardiac motion phantom simulating heart rates (HRs) from 60-90 bpm in 5-bpm steps was examined on a third-generation dual-source 192-slice CT (prospective ECG-triggering, pitch 3.2; rotation time, 250 ms). Subjective image quality regarding the presence of motion artefacts was interpreted by two readers on a four-point scale (1, excellent; 4, non-diagnostic). Objective image quality was assessed by calculating distortion vectors. Thereafter, 20 consecutive patients (median, 50 years) undergoing clinically indicated CCTA were included.

Results

In the phantom study, image quality was rated diagnostic up to the HR75 bpm, with object distortion being 1 mm or less. Distortion increased above 1 mm at HR of 80-90 bpm. Patients had a mean HR of 66 bpm (47-78 bpm). Coronary segments were of diagnostic image quality for all patients with HR up to 73 bpm. Average effective radiation dose in patients was 0.6?±?0.3 mSv.

Conclusions

Our combined phantom and patient study indicates that CCTA with turbo high-pitch third-generation dual-source 192-slice CT can be performed at HR up to 75 bpm while maintaining diagnostic image quality, being associated with an average radiation dose of 0.6 mSv.

Key points

? CCTA is feasible with the turbo high-pitch mode. ? Turbo high-pitch CCTA provides diagnostic image quality up to 73 bpm. ? The radiation dose of high-pitch CCTA is 0.6 mSv on average.     

Calcium score,coronary artery disease extent and severity,and clinical outcomes among low Framingham risk patients with low vs high lifetime risk: Results from the CONFIRM registry

Background

Short-term risk scores, such as the Framingham risk score (FRS), frequently classify younger patients as low risk despite the presence of uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors. Among patients with low FRS, estimation of lifetime risk is associated with significant differences in coronary arterial calcium scores (CACS); however, the relationship of lifetime risk to coronary atherosclerosis on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and prognosis has not been studied.

Methods and Results

We evaluated asymptomatic 20-60-year-old patients without diabetes or known coronary artery disease (CAD) within an international CT registry who underwent ≥64-slice CCTA. Patients with low FRS (<10%) were stratified as low (<39%) or high (≥39%) lifetime CAD risk, and compared for the presence and severity of CAD and prognosis for death, myocardial infarction, and late coronary revascularization (>90 days post CCTA). 1,863 patients of mean age of 47 years were included, with 48% of the low FRS patients at high lifetime risk. Median follow-up was 2.0 years. Comparing low-to-high lifetime risk, respectively, the prevalence of any CAD was 32% vs 41% (P < .001) and ≥50% stenosis was 7.4% vs 9.6% (P = .09). For those with CAD, subjects at low vs high lifetime risk had lower CACS (median 12 [IQR 0-94] vs 38 [IQR 0.05-144], P = .02) and less purely calcified plaque, 35% vs 45% (P < .001). Prognosis did not differ due to low number of events.

Conclusion

Assessment of lifetime risk among patients at low FRS identified those with the increase in CAD prevalence and severity and a higher proportion of calcified plaque.     

Accuracy of 128-slice dual-source CT using high-pitch spiral mode for the assessment of coronary stents: First in vivo experience

Objective

To investigate the accuracy of 128-slice dual-source CT using high-pitch spiral mode (HPS) for the assessment of coronary stents.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study on patients with previous stent implantation due to recurred suspicious symptoms of angina with positive findings at stress testing scheduled for coronary angiography (CA), while dual source computed tomography (DSCT) examinations were randomly done by one of the three different scan modes [HPS, sequential mode (SEQ), low-pitch spiral mode (LPS)] one week before CA examinations. The image quality, radiation dose and stent patency of DSCT were evaluated blinded to the results of CA.

Results

180 patients with total 256 stents were enrolled in this study. There was no significant difference on the image quality of DSCT by HPS (1.4 ± 0.5), SEQ (1.5 ± 0.5) and LPS (1.3 ± 0.6) (P > 0.05). The noise of images reconstructed with B26f kernel in HPS is significantly increased than in SEQ/LPS (P < 0.05), while no significant difference with images reconstructed with B46f kernel (P > 0.05). Heart rate (HR) variability had a slight impact on the image quality for HPS (P < 0.05), not for LPS/SEQ (P > 0.05). In the assessment of stent restenosis compared with CA on per-stent basis, there was no significant difference on sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of DSCT using HPS (100%, 97.1%, 83.3%, 100%), LPS (92.3%, 95.9%, 80%, 98.6%) and SEQ (93.3%, 97.3%, 87.5%, 98.6%) (P > 0.05). The effective dose of DSCT by HPS (1.0 ± 0.5 mSv) is significant less than that by SEQ (3.0 ± 1.4 mSv) or LPS (13.0 ± 5.4 mSv) (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

DSCT using HPS provides good diagnostic accuracy on coronary stent patency compared with CA, similar to that by SEQ/LPS, whereas with lower effective dose in patients with HR lower than 65 bpm.     

Dual-source CT assessment of ventricular function in healthy and infarcted myocardium: An animal study

Purpose

To assess global and regional ventricular function in the presence of myocardial infarction (MI) using cardiac dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) in comparison to magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Materials and methods

Fourteen pigs (58.6 ± 8.9 kg) were included in this study. In seven animals acute MI was induced by temporary balloon occlusion of the left circumflex artery. Thereafter, DSCT and MR imaging were performed with standardized examination protocols. Left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes, ejection fraction (EF), peak filling rate (PFR), and peak ejection rate (PER) as well as LV myocardial mass were calculated. LV wall motion was visually assessed from cine loops. Data was analyzed using Bland-Altman plots, Lin's concordance-correlation coefficient (ρ_c) and weighted kappa statistics.

Results

Ventricular volumes and mass as determined by DSCT correlated well with MR imaging. Mean LV-EF was 49.4 ± 16.5% on DSCT and 50.0 ± 16.1% on MR imaging (ρ_c = 0.9928). The corresponding mean RV-EF results were 45.9 ± 10.6% and 45.8 ± 10.6% (ρ_c = 0.9969), respectively. Bland-Altman plots revealed no systematic errors, but PER and PFR showed a relevant scattering. Regional wall motion scores agreed in 216/224 myocardial segments (κ = 0.925).

Conclusion

DSCT permits the reliable assessment of global and regional function in healthy and infarcted myocardium, but is not yet suited for the assessment of dynamic functional parameters like PER and PFR.     

The Diagnostic Accuracy, Image Quality and Radiation Dose of 64-Slice Dual-Source CT in Daily Practice: a Single Institution's Experience

Objective

We wanted to evaluate the image quality, diagnostic accuracy and radiation exposure of 64-slice dual-source CT (DSCT) coronary angiography according to the heart rate in symptomatic patients during daily clinical practice.

Materials and Methods

We performed a retrospective search for the DSCT coronary angiography reports of 729 consecutive symptomatic patients. For the 131 patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography, the image quality, the diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value [PPV] and negative predictive value [NPV] for detecting significant stenosis ≥ 50% diameter) and the radiation exposure were evaluated. These values were compared between the groups with differing heart rates (HR): mean HR < 65 or ≥ 65 and HR variability (HRV) < 15 or ≥ 15.

Results

Among the 729 patients, the CT reports showed no stenosis or insignificant coronary artery stenosis in 72%, significant stenosis in 26% and non-diagnostic in 2%. For the 131 patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography, 95% of the patients and 97% of the segments were evaluable, and the overall per-patient/per-segment sensitivity, the perpatient/per-segment specificity, the per-patient/per-segment PPV and the per-patient/per-segment NPV were 100%/90%, 71%/98%, 95%/88% and 100%/97%, respectively. The image quality was better in the HR < 65 group than in the HR ≥ 65 group (p = 0.001), but there was no difference in diagnostic performance between the two groups. The mean effective radiation doses were lower in the HR < 65 or HRV < 15 group (p < 0.0001): 5.5 versus 6.7 mSv for the mean HR groups and 5.3 versus 9.3 mSv for the HRV groups.

Conclusion

Dual-source CT coronary angiography is a highly accurate modality in the clinical setting. Better image quality and a significant radiation reduction are being rendered in the lower HR group.     

Subtraction CT angiography improves evaluation of significant coronary artery disease in patients with severe calcifications or stents—the C-Sub 320 multicenter trial

Objectives

Diagnostic accuracy of conventional coronary CT angiography (CCTA_conv) may be compromised by blooming artifacts from calcifications or stents. Blooming artifacts may be reduced by subtraction coronary CT angiography (CCTA_sub) in which non-contrast and contrast CT data sets are subtracted digitally. We tested whether CCTA_sub in patients with severe coronary calcification or stents reduces the number of false-positive stenosis evaluations compared with CCTA_conv.

Methods

In this study, 180 symptomatic patients scheduled for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were prospectively enrolled and CT scanned (2013-2016) at three international centers. CCTA_conv, and CCTA_sub data sets were reconstructed. Target segments were defined as motion-free coronary segments with a suspected stenosis (> 50% of lumen) potentially due to blooming of either calcium or stents. Target segments were evaluated with respect to misregistration artifacts from the CCTA_sub reconstruction process, in which case evaluation was omitted. CCTA_sub and CCTA_conv were compared with ICA. Primary outcome measure was the frequency of false positives by CCTA_conv versus CCTA_sub to identify > 50% coronary stenosis by ICA on a per-segment level.

Results

After exclusion of 76 patients, 104 (14% females) with mean age 67 years and median Agatston score 852 were included. There were 136 target segments with misregistration and 121 target segments without. Accuracy calculations in target segments without misregistration showed a reduction of the false positives from 72% [95% confidence interval (CI): 63-80%] in CCTA_conv to 33% (CI:25-42%) in CCTA_sub, at the expense of 7% (CI:3-14%) false negatives in CCTA_sub.

Conclusions

In severely calcified coronary arteries or stents, CCTA_sub reduces the false-positive rate in well-aligned, calcified or stent segments suspected of significant stenosis on CCTA_conv. Nevertheless, misregistration artifacts are frequent in CCTA_sub.

Key Points

? A high calcium-score reduces the diagnostic accuracy in patients scanned with cardiac CT. ? These patients would normally need an invasive angiogram for diagnosis. ? In this prospective, multicenter study, subtraction CT, when evaluable, reduces false-positive stenosis evaluations. ? Subtraction coronary CT angiography may, when evaluable, reduce excessive downstream testing.

     

Low-dose adaptive sequential scan for dual-source CT coronary angiography in patients with high heart rate: Comparison with retrospective ECG gating

Purpose

To explore feasibility of dual-source CT (DS-CT) prospective ECG-gated coronary angiography in patients with heart rate (HR) higher than 70 beat per minute (bpm), and evaluate image quality and radiation dose with comparison to retrospective ECG-gated spiral scan.

Materials and methods

One hundred patients who underwent DS-CT coronary angiography (DS-CTCA) with mean HR higher than 70 bpm but below 110 bpm were enrolled in the study, 50 were scanned by adaptive sequential scan and another 50 were analyzed by retrospectively gated CT scan. The imaging quality of coronary artery segments in the two groups was evaluated using a four-point grading scale by two independent reviewers. Patient radiation dose was calculated by multiplying dose length product by conversion coefficient of 0.017.

Results

There was no significant difference between the two groups for mean HR (p = 0.305), HR variability (p = 0.103), body mass index (p = 0.472), and scan length (p = 0.208). There was good agreement for image quality scoring between the two reviewers (Kappa = 0.72). Coronary evaluability of adaptive sequential scan was 99.7% (608 of 610 segments), while that of retrospective gated scan was 98.7% (614 of 622 segments), showing similar coronary evaluability (p = 0.061). Effective doses of adaptive sequential scan and retrospective gated scan were 5.1 ± 1.6 and 11.8 ± 4.5 mSv, respectively (p < 0.001), showing that adaptive sequential scan reduced radiation dose by 57% compared with that of retrospective gated scan.

Conclusions

In patients with 70-110 bpm HR, DS-CTCA adaptive sequential scan shows similar image quality as retrospective ECG-gated spiral scan with 57% reduction of radiation dose.     

In vitro measurement of CT density and estimation of stenosis related to coronary soft plaque at 100 kV and 120 kV on ECG-triggered scan

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to compare 100 kV and 120 kV prospective electrocardiograph (ECG)-triggered axial coronary 64-detector CT angiography (64-MDCTA) in soft plaque diagnosis.

Materials and methods

Coronary artery models (n = 5) with artificial soft plaques (−32 HU to 53 HU at 120 kV) with three stenosis levels (25%, 50% and 75%) on a cardiac phantom (mimicking slim patient's environment) were scanned in heart rates of 55, 60 and 65 beats per minute (bpm). Four kinds of intracoronary enhancement (205 HU, 241 HU, 280 HU and 314 HU) were simulated. The soft plaque density and the measurement error of stenosis (in percentage), evaluated by two independent observers, were compared between 100 kV and 120 kV. The radiation dose was estimated.

Results

Interobserver correlation of the measurement was excellent (density; r = 0.95 and stenosis measure; r = 0.97). Neither the density of soft plaque nor the measurement error of stenosis was different between 100 kV and 120 kV (p = 0.22 and 0.08). The estimated radiation doses were 2.0 mSv and 3.3 mSv (in 14 cm coverage) on 100 kV and 120 kV prospective ECG-triggered axial scans, respectively.

Conclusion

The 100 kV prospective ECG-triggered coronary MDCTA has comparable performance to 120 kV coronary CTA in terms of soft plaque densitometry and measurement of stenosis, with a reduced effective dose of 2 mSv.     

Dose performance and image quality: dual source CT versus single source CT in cardiac CT angiography

Objective

To evaluate dose performance and image quality of 64-slice dual source CT (DSCT) in comparison to 64-slice single source CT (SSCT) in cardiac CT angiography (CTA).

Methods

100 patients examined by DSCT and 60 patients scanned by SSCT were included in this study. Objective indices such as image noise, contrast-to-noise ratio and signal-to-noise ratio were analyzed. Subjective image quality was assessed by two cardiovascular radiologists in consensus using a four-point scale (1 = excellent to 4 = not acceptable). Estimation of effective dose was performed on the basis of dose length product (DLP).

Results

At low heart rates (<70 bpm), image quality of SSCT was equivalent to that of DSCT (P > 0.05), but, at high heart rates (>70 bpm), DSCT provided robust image quality (P < 0.05). The average effective dose of SSCT was 9.3 ± 0.9 mSv at low heart rates (<70 bpm) while, the average estimated effective doses of DSCT were 9.1 ± 1.3 mSv, 8.3 ± 1.1 mSv, 7.9 ± 1.1 mSv, 6.9 ± 0.7 mSv, and 5.9 ± 1.3 mSv, corresponding to heart rates of 50-59 bpm, 60-69 bpm, 70-79 bpm, 80-89 bpm, and 90-100 bpm.

Conclusion

For cardiac CTA, both DSCT and SSCT can get good image quality at low heart rates (<70 bpm) with a similar radiation dose, but, at high heart rates (>70 bpm), DSCT is able to provide robust diagnostic image quality at doses far below that of SSCT.     

Vulnerable plaque: Detection of agreement between multi-detector-row CT angiography and US-ECD

Objectives

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the agreement between ultra-sound echo-color Doppler (US-ECD) and multi-detector-row CT angiography (MDCTA) in the characterization of vulnerable plaque.

Methods

From January 2004 to January 2007 658 patients who underwent both MDCTA and US-ECD for the study of carotid arteries, were retrospectively evaluated (453 males, 205 females). For all subjects the following parameters were analysed: plaque morphology (regular versus irregular), type of the plaque (fatty, mixed and calcified) and presence of ulcerations. Statistical analysis was performed to calculate concordance between the two techniques employed.

Results

In the definition of the type of plaque, the observed agreements were 77.2% and the kappa value was 0.657 (95% confidence interval: 0.615-0.699). The weighted kappa resulted 0.644. In the definition of ulceration plaque, the observed agreements were 88.4% but the kappa value was only 0.325 (95% confidence interval: 0.201-0.449). Agreement observed in the evaluation of plaque morphology was 78.3% with a kappa value of 0.513 (95% confidence interval: 0.452-0.574).

Conclusion

We observed a good agreement between US-ECD and MDCTA in the assessment of plaque type whereas a poor agreement resulted in the evaluation of plaque ulceration. The use of US-ECD and MDCTA provides different results in the evaluation of plaque. Our results suggest that information deriving from US-ECD should be always critically compared with other diagnostic techniques.