心率对64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像图像质量的影响

目的:评价心率对64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像图像质量的影响.方法:采用GE Light speed 64层螺旋VCT,以心脏扫描模式对心脏动态体模进行扫描.心脏动态体模由3个部分组成:动力部分、解剖结构模拟部分和控制部分.心脏动态体模的心率设置为40、45、50、55、60、65、70、75、80、85、90、95、100、105、110和115次/min,心律齐.以球管转速0.35 s对不同心率下的心脏动态体模进行冠状动脉成像扫描.所有扫描数据在R-R间期90%时相分别进行单扇区和多扇区重建.重建数据传至工作站后处理成像.后处理方法采用VR、MPR重组模式.分别对重建图像进行评分.结果:①心率与图像质量呈负相关(P＜0.01);随着心率的增加,图像质量评分呈下降趋势;②在同一条件下多扇区重建算法较单扇区重建算法提高了图像质量评分.结论:采用心脏动态体模评价心率对64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像图像质量的影响,对临床研究和应用有着重要价值.     

Computed tomography coronary angiography with 370-millisecond gantry rotation time: evaluation of the best image reconstruction interval

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the best reconstruction window for noninvasive coronary angiography when using a 16-detector row computed tomography (CT) scanner with a gantry rotation time of 370 milliseconds. METHODS: In a pilot study, 189 coronary artery segments of 21 patients with a mean heart rate of 65 beats per minute (bpm, maximum: 45-94 bpm) were investigated using a 16-detector row CT scanner. Raw data were reconstructed in 10% increments from 40% to 70% of the RR interval. Two experienced observers independently evaluated the image quality of the coronary arteries in a segmental fashion. A 5-point ranking scale was applied, with 1 being very poor (no evaluation possible); 2, poor; 3, moderate; 4, good; and 5, very good. RESULTS: In the mean of all patients, the best reconstruction window was found to be at 60% of the RR interval. In patients with higher heart rates, the best reconstruction window was found to be at an earlier stage of the R wave-to-R wave interval. CONCLUSIONS: Initial results show that good diagnostic image quality could be achieved for all evaluated segments of the coronary tree with image reconstructions at 60% of the R wave-to-R wave interval in patients with heart rates of 70 bpm or less. Using a 16-detector row CT scanner with a gantry rotation time of 370 milliseconds, the need for adapting the reconstruction window to each segment for the best image quality was overcome in those cases. In patients with heart rates faster than 70 bpm, reconstructions at an earlier stage within the cardiac cycle were necessary.     

ECG-gated reconstructed multi-detector row CT coronary angiography: effect of varying trigger delay on image quality

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of electrocardiographically (ECG)-gated retrospective image reconstruction for multi-detector row computed tomographic (CT) coronary angiography in reducing cardiac motion artifacts and to evaluate the influence of heart rate on cardiac image quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five patients with different heart rates underwent coronary CT angiography. Raw helical CT data and ECG tracings were combined to retrospectively reconstruct at the defined consecutive z position with a temporal resolution of 250 msec per section. The starting points of the reconstruction were chosen between 30% and 80% of the R-R intervals. The relationships between heart rate, trigger delay, and image quality were analyzed. RESULTS: Optimal image quality was achieved with a 50% trigger delay for the right coronary artery and 60% for the left circumflex coronary artery. Optimal image quality for the left anterior descending coronary artery was equally obtained at 50% and 60% triggering. A significant negative correlation was observed between heart rate and image quality (P <.05). The best image quality was achieved when the heart rate was less than 74.5 beats per minute. CONCLUSION: To achieve high image quality, the heart rate should be sufficiently slow. Selection of appropriate trigger delays and a decreasing heart rate are effective to reduce cardiac motion artifacts.     

64层螺旋CT心脏冠状动脉检查质量控制和扫描参数优化研究

目的 分析影响64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像质量的各种因素，对扫描方法进行质量控制和优化。方法 对78例怀疑冠心病或冠心病复查患者进行64层螺旋CT冠状动脉检查，回顾性分析成像质量，探讨心率替代（override）功能的应用价值，分组分析扇区选择与心率对图像质量的影响以及心率与对比剂增强效果的相关性，优化扫描参数。结果 （1）心率替代功能的合理使用可以提高CT冠状动脉的成像质量；（2）心率70次／min以下的单扇区重组图像质量可以满足要求；70-79次／min之间的心率，选择双扇区重组图像的评分要高于单扇区；（3）预测对比剂总量70m1组的平均心率为60．7次／min，65．7％（23／35）的患者增强药量稍显不足；总量为60ml组的平均心率为71．1次／min，52．9％（18／34）的患者增强效果良好。结论 根据心率选择心率替代功能的使用，适当的扇区扫描模式和对比剂总量可以提高图像质量和冠状动脉检查的可靠性。     

Multi-detector row CT coronary angiography: influence of reconstruction technique and heart rate on image quality

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate to what extent image quality in 16-detector row computed tomographic (CT) coronary angiography is a function of the heart rate and the image reconstruction technique used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 70 patients (49 men, 21 women; mean age, 59.1 years +/- 5.8 [standard deviation]) consecutively underwent multi-detector row CT coronary angiography; 49 patients additionally underwent coronary angiography. Image reconstruction was based on both relative and absolute timing. A total of 20 equidistant relative and absolute image reconstructed intervals were assessed by applying a four-step grading scale. Cluster and discrimination analysis, Spearman correlation analysis, and Wilcoxon and chi2 tests were used for statistical analysis. Institutional review board approval and written informed consent were obtained. RESULTS: Though significantly (P < .001) better image quality was observed for image reconstruction based on absolute timing and in patients with lower heart rates, influence on diagnostic accuracy was not significant. Irrespective of the reconstruction technique used, best image quality was observed in patients with a low heart rate for middiastolic reconstruction intervals (starting points: 61% of R-R interval [range, 40%-75%] and 599.3 msec after R [range, 450-840 msec]) and in patients with a high heart rate for end-systolic or early-diastolic intervals (starting points: 27.3% of R-R interval [range, 10%-45%] and 202.3 msec after R [range, 82-336 msec]). With regard to the vessel section and reconstruction technique, cutoff heart rates of the intervals were 64.0-68.5 beats per minute. Patients with stenoses of more than 50% were identified with 86% sensitivity and specificity, and there was no significant difference between relative and absolute timing (P = .99). CONCLUSION: In multi-detector row CT coronary angiography, image quality depends on the choice of a suited reconstruction interval. In patients with high heart rates, the best image quality can be obtained with end-systolic and early-diastolic intervals; in patients with low heart rates, the best results are achieved with middiastolic intervals.     

Does two-segment image reconstruction at 64-section CT coronary angiography improve image quality and diagnostic accuracy?

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the effect of single- versus two-segment image reconstruction on image quality and diagnostic accuracy at 64-section multidetector computed tomographic (CT) coronary angiography by using conventional coronary angiography as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design was approved by a human research committee; patients gave informed consent. The study was HIPAA compliant. Forty consecutive patients (22 men, 18 women; mean age, 61 years +/- 8 [standard deviation]) underwent both 64-section multidetector CT coronary angiography and conventional angiography. All data sets were reconstructed by using single- and two-segment image reconstruction algorithms, with resulting temporal resolution of 82.5-165 msec. Two experienced observers independently evaluated image quality and signs of coronary artery disease. A five-level grading scheme was used to grade stenosis (0%, <50%, <70%, <99%, 100%) and image quality (1[unacceptable] to 5[excellent]). Interobserver correlation, Spearman correlation coefficients, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated. RESULTS: Six hundred coronary artery segments were visible on conventional angiograms, of which 560 (93.3%) were seen by using single-segment and 561 (93.5%) were seen by using two-segment image reconstruction (P=.35). Mean quality scores were not significantly different (P=.22) for single- (3.1 +/- 0.9) and two-segment (3.2 +/- 0.8) reconstruction. Significantly (P=.03) better image quality was observed for two-segment reconstruction only at heart rates of 80-82 beats per minute, at which temporal resolution was approximately 83 msec. For grading coronary artery stenosis, correlation was 0.64 for single- and 0.66 for two-segment reconstruction (P=.43). Significant stenosis (>50%) was detected on a per-segment basis with 77.1% sensitivity and 98.6% specificity by using single-segment and with 79.2% sensitivity and 99.1% specificity by using two-segment image reconstruction. CONCLUSION: At heart rates of more than 65 beats per minute, use of two-segment reconstruction improves image quality at multidetector CT coronary angiography but does not significantly affect overall diagnostic accuracy compared with single-segment reconstruction.     

320排CT冠状动脉成像心率(律)对图像质量和辐射剂量的影响

目的:探讨不同心率(律)的条件下,320排容积CT冠状动脉血管成像的图像质量和辐射剂量。方法:将259例临床怀疑或确诊冠状动脉疾病的患者分为两组:窦性心律组(S组)220例;心律失常组(N组)39例。其中S组分为:A组79例,心率<65bpm;B组102例,65≤心率<80bpm;C组39例,心率≥80bpm。扫描完成后选用最佳的时相,对冠状动脉进行容积重组(VR)、多平面重组(MPR)、曲面重组(CPR)。按照4分法将图像质量分类并统计分析,比较各组冠状动脉血管段的优良率、可评价性;记录各组的辐射剂量,比较辐射剂量的差异。结果:S组与N组之间冠状动脉血管段优良率和可评价性的差异均无统计学意义。所有病例共有9段冠状动脉不可评价。所有病例平均辐射剂量为(9.49±6.54)mSv;S组和N组平均辐射剂量分别为(8.45±5.7)mSv、(15.36±7.79)mSv,两组之间辐射剂量差异具有统计学意义(t=-5.29,P=0.000)。窦性心律各组辐射剂量差异具有统计学意义(2=126.43,P=0.000)。结论:320排CT能较好适应心率(律)变化,保证诊断图像质量,对于心率<65bpm以下的窦性心律患者辐射剂量降低显著。     

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.     

房颤患者的64层CTCA:平均心率对图像质量和最佳重建期相的影响

目的:评价房颤患者64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像中平均心率对最佳图像重建时相和图像质量的影响.方法:58例房颤患者行64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像,扫描前均未服用美托洛尔.血管图像质量分为好、中等和差.分析平均心率和患者总体图像质量之间的相关性,采用判别分析法计算获得总体图像质量为好和中等的平均心率阈值和最佳重建时相在收缩末期的平均心率阈值.结果:平均心率和患者总体图像质量之间呈负相关(r=-0.43,P=0.001);患者总体图像质量为好和中等的平均心率阈值分别为80次/min和95次/min;最佳重建时相在收缩末期的平均心率阈值为85次/min.结论:控制患者平均心率在一定阈值以下并结合舒张中期蕈建.能保证房颤患者64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像获得较高的图像质量.     

320排CT冠状动脉成像平均心率对图像质量和辐射剂量的影响

目的:探讨不同心率条件下320排容积CT冠状动脉血管成像的图像质量和辐射剂量.方法:将259例临床怀疑或确诊的冠状动脉疾病的患者(含35例心律失常患者)分为3组;A组79例,心率≤65次/分;B组120例,65＜心率＜80次/分;C组60例,心率≥80次/分.扫描完成后选用最佳的重建时相,对冠状动脉进行容积再现(VR)...     

基于动态容积 CT 前瞻性心电门控对快心率冠状动脉 CTA 的观察

目的：探讨心率>70次/min 的患者动态容积 CT 前瞻性心电门控技术的可行性。方法收集118例心率>70次/min患者的一般资料。所有患者行320容积扫描,前瞻性心电触发扫描模式,R 波后250~400 ms 多扇区采集,管电压100 kVp,自动管电流调节,对比剂采用碘克沙醇(370 mg I/mL)。记录所有患者的辐射剂量。将冠状动脉分为15个节段,由2名影像科医师测量冠状动脉 CT 值、图像评分。对结果进行统计学分析。结果各组间性别、年龄、体质量无显著性差异。心律整齐,心率>70次/min 者满足诊断率83.05%。心率>70次/min 组、心率>75次/min、心率>85次/min 组的图像主观评分分别为(4.23±0.72)分,(3.54±1.22)分,(1.87±0.74)分。各组间评分差异无统计学意义(F=5.125,P =0.0503)。辐射剂量随心率增加。结论动态容积 CT 采用前瞻性心电触发扫描模式,对心率>70次/min 患者行冠状动脉 CT 血管成像(CTA)检查可以得到满足临床诊断要求的图像质量。     

16排40层螺旋CT冠状动脉血管造影的应用技术探讨简

目的：探讨16排40层螺旋CT冠状动脉血管造影的应用技术。方法使用东芝公司16排螺旋CT进行冠状动脉血管成像检查,采用多平面重建（MPR）、最大密度投影（MIP）、曲面重建（CPR）和容积再现技术（VR）进行图像后处理,可清晰显示冠状动脉主干及主要分支。结果心率平稳为53~66次/min,冠状动脉节段图像质量可准确地显示冠状动脉通畅情况及管壁病变。心率＞68次/min时,冠状动脉的主要分支显示不规整。结论16排CT冠状动脉成像可比较准确诊断冠状动脉病变,具有较高的临床应用价值。     

64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像图像质量的相关影响因素分析(心脏体模模拟实验)

目的采用心脏动态体模，对64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像图像质量的相关影响因素进行分析。方法采用GE Light speed64层螺旋CT，以心脏扫描的模式对心脏动态体模进行扫描。心脏动态体模由3部分组成：动力部分、解剖结构模拟部分和控制部分组成。心率设置为40、45、50、55、60、65、70、75、80、85、90、95、100、105、110和115次／min，X线管转速设置为每转0．35、0．40和0．45S，分别对不同心率下的心脏动态体模进行冠状动脉成像扫描。所有扫描数据在R-R间期90％时相分别进行单扇区和多扇区重组。重组数据传至AW4．2工作站后处理成像。后处理方法采用容积重组（VR）、多平面重组（MPR）模式。分别对不同重组图像进行评分。统计学处理采用多元线性回归模型。结果（1）心率对图像质量的影响有统计学意义（P〈0．01），随着心率的增加，图像质量评分呈下降趋势。多元线性回归分析显示心率每增加1次，图像质量评分平均减低0．046；（2）重组算法对图像质量的影响有统计学意义（P〈0．01），在同一条件下多扇区重组算法较单扇区重组算法能增加图像质量评分0．5。（3）X线管转速在0．35、0．40和0．45S下对图像质量的影响无统计学意义（P〉0，05），在40-115次／min心率时的重组图像，得到的最高评分时X线管转速分别为0．35和0．45S。（4）心率、重组算法与图像质量间具有多元线性回归关系（标准化回归系数分别为-0．824和0．194）。结论心脏动态体模评价64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像图像质量的影响因素，能够为其临床应用和基础研究提供帮助。     

16层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像图像质量相关影响因素分析及最佳扫描条件选择(心脏体模模拟实验)

目的 采用新型心脏动态体模,对16层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像图像质量相关影响因素进行分析,并探讨在不同心率下的扫描速度和重组算法选择.材料与方法 采用GE公司研制的新型心脏动态体模,心率设置为40～95次/min(间隔5次/min)共12组.采用GE LightSpeed 16 层螺旋CT,以心脏冠状动脉扫描模式对不同心率下的心脏体模进行扫描,X线球管转速(即扫描速度)设置为0.5 s/r和0.6 s/r.所有的扫描数据在R-R间期90%时相分别以单扇区(Snapshot segment)、双扇区(Burst-2)和四扇区重组(Burst-4)3种心脏重组算法进行重组.所有重组数据传至AW4.1工作站行后处理成像.后处理方法采用容积再现(VR)、多平面重组(MPR).分别对不同重组图像进行评分.统计学处理采用析因分析和多元线性回归分析.结果 (1)总模型具有统计学意义(F=11.15,P＜0.0001),不同心率(F=11.99,P＜0.0001)、不同转速(F=5.76,P=0.00196)、不同重组算法(F=9.21,P=0.0003)对图像质量有显著的影响,三者的交互作用均无显著差别(P＞0.05);(2)不同心率间比较,心率≤65次/min时图像质量评分较高(P＜0.05);(3)不同扫描速度比较,0.5 s/r时,图像质量评分较高(P＜0.05);(4)不同重组算法之间比较:重组算法为Burst-4和Burst-2时,图像质量评分较高(P＜0.05),但两者之间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);(5)心率、扫描速度及重组算法与图像质量间具有多元线性回归关系(标准化回归系数分别为-0.70794、-0.16449和0.27341,F=34.43,P＜0.0001),各回归系数具有显著性.结论 心率、扫描速度及重组算法等是影响16层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像图像质量的主要因素,可采用新型心脏动态体模进行评估.合理利用扫描参数能有效提高图像质量和检查的成功率.     

320排容积CT冠状动脉血管成像前瞻性心电门控最佳重建时相的初步研究

目的 探讨320排容积CT(320-DVCT)冠状动脉血管成像前瞻性心电门控最佳重建时相,初步评价其对图像质量、曝光剂量及诊断准确性的影响.方法 对77例行DVCT心功能扫描的患者[平均扫描心率(70±13)次/min( bpm),范围46～ 102 bpm]做回顾性心电门控扫描,分析最佳重建时相与心率的关系.利用不同心率最佳重建时相作为前瞻性心电门控扫描曝光时相,对53例需接受冠状动脉导管造影的患者[平均扫描心率(75±11) bpm,范围57～114 bpm]同时行冠状动脉CT成像,评价曝光时相对图像质量、曝光剂量及诊断准确性的影响.图像质量评分随机区组多样本比较采用Friedman检验,双变量统计行直线回归分析及Spearman相关分析.结果 随着心率的增加,收缩期比例逐渐增高(r=0.78,P＜0.01).收缩期与舒张期最佳重建图像质量随着心率的增加明显下降(r分别为0.38、0.82,P均＜0.01).根据回归方程分析,最佳重建时相按心率分组如下:心率＜ 70 bpm,65％～80％;70～80 bpm,70％ ～85％;81 ～90 bpm,70％～90％;＞90 bpm,35％ ～ 50％.利用上述最佳重建时相行前瞻性心电门控扫描结果表明,前瞻性心电门控扫描较回顾性心电门控扫描明显降低辐射剂量[分别为(6.1±3.8)和(12.4±7.0) mSv,t=6.5,P＜0.01],对诊断准确性并无明显影响.但是随着心率的增加,前瞻性心电门控扫描辐射剂量仍会明显增加(r=0.64,P＜0.01).结论DVCT可在更宽心率范围内应用前瞻性心电门控扫描技术对冠状动脉进行准确诊断;但在高心率条件下需要多个心动周期扫描,辐射剂量明显增加,建议尽可能降低患者心率以降低辐射剂量.     

256层CT心电前置门控及回顾门控冠状动脉成像质量及辐射剂量比较

目的 比较256层CT前置门控冠状动脉CTA与回顾门控检查方法的成像质量及辐射剂量,探讨256层CT前置门控冠状动脉扫描方法的临床应用价值及局限性.方法 回顾分析177例冠状动脉256层CTA检查患者,其中前置门控86例,回顾门控91例.将冠状动脉主要分支分为9个节段评价,采用4分法评价图像质量,≥3分为可评价节段.采用t检验比较两种方法组可评价节段的百分比、患者的有效辐射剂量及图像噪声.结果 前置门控组86例中98.8%节段(765/774)为可评价节段.回顾门控组91例中99.6%节段(816/819)可评价.2组图像质量差异有统计学意义(t=2.51,P=0.01).心率<75次/min时,前置门控与回顾门控组的可评价节段分别为99.8%(647/648),99.7%(718/720),图像质量的差异无统计学意义(t=1.90,P>0.05).≥75次/min时,2组的可评价节段分别为93.6%(118/126)和99.0%(98/99).2组的可评价率差异有统计学意义(t=3.57,P<0.05).前置门控组及回顾门控组的有效辐射剂量分别为(4.4±0.5)和(10.3±1.5)mSv(t=33.4,P<0.00),前置门控扫描的剂量明显小于回顾门控扫描,下降幅度达60.0%.结论 256层CT前置门控冠状动脉扫描方法较回顾门控方法剂量显著降低,两种扫描方法得到的图像质量均较好.在低心率组图像质量两种方法相近,而高心率组前置门控较回顾门控法有差距.     

320排冠状动脉CTA中等渗低浓度对比剂用量的合理选择

目的：探讨在320排冠状动脉 CTA 检查中降低等渗低浓度对比剂用量的可行性。方法选取心率≤70次/min、心律规则、体质量指数(BMI)≤24 kg/m2患者64例行320排冠状动脉 CTA,采用100 kVp 管电压,威视派克270 mg I/mL 对比剂,使用前瞻性心电门控技术,自适应迭代剂量减低算法重建。根据对比剂用量的不同将其分为3组：A 组22例注射50 mL 固定剂量对比剂,注射速率为5.0 mL/s;B 组21例按0.7 mL/kg 计算剂量,注射速率为4.5 mL/s;C 组21例按0.6 mL/kg 计算剂量,注射速率为4.0 mL/s。采用单因素方差分析比较3组间感兴趣区(ROI)的 CT 值、信噪比(SNR)、对比噪声比(CNR)以及冠状动脉节段评分的差异,并对患者碘摄入量进行比较。结果3组间患者的年龄、性别比、BMI、心率等指标差异无统计学意义(P >0.05),对比剂用量及注射时间的差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。ROI 的 CT 值从 A 组到 B 组再到 C 组呈下降趋势,A 组明显高于 B 组和 C组,差异均有统计学意义(P <0.05),而 B 组与 C 组间差异无统计学意义(P >0.05)。3组间冠状动脉节段评分、SNR 和 CNR 的差异无统计学意义(P >0.05)。C 组的碘总量和碘注入率最低。结论在320排 CT 冠状动脉血管成像中,对于心率≤70次/min、BMI≤24 kg/m2患者,按0.6 mL/kg 剂量注射等渗低浓度对比剂,图像质量能满足诊断要求,明显减少了患者的碘摄入量,降低了发生对比剂肾病的风险。     

Dual-source CT cardiac imaging: initial experience

The relation of heart rate and image quality in the depiction of coronary arteries, heart valves and myocardium was assessed on a dual-source computed tomography system (DSCT). Coronary CT angiography was performed on a DSCT (Somatom Definition, Siemens) with high concentration contrast media (Iopromide, Ultravist 370, Schering) in 24 patients with heart rates between 44 and 92 beats per minute. Images were reconstructed over the whole cardiac cycle in 10% steps. Two readers independently assessed the image quality with regard to the diagnostic evaluation of right and left coronary artery, heart valves and left ventricular myocardium for the assessment of vessel wall changes, coronary stenoses, valve morphology and function and ventricular function on a three point grading scale. The image quality ratings at the optimal reconstruction interval were 1.24±0.42 for the right and 1.09±0.27 for the left coronary artery. A reconstruction of diagnostic systolic and diastolic images is possible for a wide range of heart rates, allowing also a functional evaluation of valves and myocardium. Dual-source CT offers very robust diagnostic image quality in a wide range of heart rates. The high temporal resolution now also makes a functional evaluation of the heart valves and myocardium possible.     

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.     

冠状动脉狭窄的多层螺旋CT诊断

目的 旨在评价多层螺旋CT（MDCT）诊断冠状动脉（简称冠脉）狭窄的可行性和准确性。方法 65名患者行冠脉MDCT造影（MDCTA），扫描数据在回顾性心电门控下重建。有32例同时接受选择性冠脉造影（SCA）。分析CT图像质量，并与SCA比较，评价MDCTA诊断50％以上狭窄的准确性。结果 心率70次／min以下患者CT图像质量明显优于心率70次／min以上组（W＝539，P＜0．0001）。32例MDCTA图像与相应SCA比较，MDCTA诊断50％以上狭窄的敏感度、特异率、阴性预测值和准确度分别为95％、80％、89％和90％。结论 MDCT对冠脉能够高质量成像并可较准确诊断冠脉狭窄。