磁共振冠状动脉成像定位方法

目的 摸索磁共振冠状动脉成像(MRCA)的扫描定位方法。方法 89例受检者，用快速平衡稳态成像(FIESTA)序列获得标准四腔心位、左室和右室长轴位的电影图像并确定舒张中期触发延迟时间，在此基础上用脂肪抑制的三维FIESTA序列在呼气末屏气定位扫描冠状动脉右支(RCA)、左主干(LM)、前降支(LAD)和回旋支(LCX)，以美国心脏协会(AHA)推荐的冠状动脉解剖分段法评价定位显示的可重复性。结果 86例受检者能够屏气配合完成检查，适用效率为96．63％；9个位置可以稳定地显示冠状动脉各主支，各位置综合对RCA近段和中段(AHA-18、19段)、LM全长(AHA-1、2)、LAD近段和中段(AHA-3、5、7段)，LCX近段(AHA-10段)的显示可重复性为100％；对LAD、LCX和RCA的远段(AHA-9、14、21段)的显示可重复性分别为94．19％、72．09％、96．51％。结论 MRCA定位方法简单实用，可以稳定显示冠状动脉主要分支的近段和中段，初步具备临床应用的价值。     

含服硝酸甘油对64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像质量影响的分析

目的 定量评估64层CT在冠状动脉成像中含服和不含服硝酸甘油对冠状动脉显示的差异.方法 分别在相对时段中对含服硝酸甘油(A组)和不含服硝酸甘油(B组)的各100例患者进行64层CT冠状动脉检查,2组受检者均采用回顾性后门控智能mA扫描技术.分别选取左、右冠状动脉的最佳期相进行MPR、MIP、CPR、VR重组.对2组图像分别进行冠状动脉10个测量点管径的测量,并对右冠状动脉、前降支、回旋支3支冠状动脉显示的分支数目进行统计,然后对2组图像管径测量值和分支数目采用完全随机的两样本均数t检验进行统计学比较.结果 右冠状动脉近、中、远段管径A组比B组分别增加0.29、0.17、0.11mm,扩张率分别为8.0%、5.0%、4.0%;前降支分别增加0.40、0.23、0.10 mm,扩张率分别为11.0%、8.0%、4.7%;回旋支分别增加0.42、0.35、0.12 mm,扩张率分别为13.5%、12.5%、5.5%;左主干增加0.31 mm,扩张率7.8%.A组较B组分支数目增加率,右冠状动脉、前降支、回旋支分别为83%、80%、113%.A、B 2组冠状动脉10个血管节段中,右冠状动脉近段、左主干、前降支近、中段、回旋支近、中段差异有统计学意义(t值分别为3.86、3.74、5.35、3.58、5.29、4.64,P值均＜0.01);右冠状动脉中、远段、前降支远段、回旋支远段差异亦有统计学意义(t值分别为2.13、2.58、2.35、2.14,P值均＜0.05).结论 服用硝酸甘油能有效扩张冠状动脉并能有效增加冠状动脉分支的显示,从而提高64层CT冠状动脉成像质量.     

Assessment of coronary artery patency after stent placement using magnetic resonance angiography

The ability to noninvasively assess the patency of coronary stents would represent a significant advance. We evaluated the safety and ability of two-dimensional coronary MR angiography In imaging stents and suggesting patency. Coronary MR angiography of 26 coronary stents (Palmaz-Schatz) was performed in 16 patients 39 to 73 years of age. Studies were performed between 2 and 4 months after stent placement. All patients were symptom free at the time of imaging. Coronary MR angiography was performed with a commercial 1.5-T MR imager using an electrocardio-graphically gated pulse sequence with breath-holding. Images were obtained in mid-diastole with and without fat suppression. Image artifacts caused by the metal in the stents were clearly visualized in all 26 stents (100% sensitivity for stent detection). Arterial flow signal was seen in the coronary artery or graft distal to the stent in 25 of 26 cases (96%). All patients, except for the one in which distal flow could not be seen, remained symptom free for >2 years. The distribution of stent locations was as follows: 10 in the right coronary artery (RCA), 10 in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), 2 in the left circumflex coronary artery, and 4 in saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) to RCA. One patient had 2 RCA and 2 LAD stents, one had 3 RCA and 1 LAD stents, one had 3 SVG stents, and two had double RCA stents. Coronary MR angiography is safe for noninvasive imaging of coronary stents, and in the proper clinical setting, it can be used to help suggest patency.     

双源CT对先天性心脏病儿童冠状动脉成像效果分析

目的 分析儿童先天性心脏病双源CT(DSCT)扫描对冠状动脉显示的效果.方法 2名放射科医师分别对儿童先天性心脏病DSCT扫描的图像评分,按冠状动脉各分支成像效果评为1～4分,3分以上为成像质量较好,可以用于诊断.采用方差分析比较3个心率水平、3个年龄段下冠状动脉评分差异及4支冠状动脉分支间评分差异.采用多元线性回归分析比较各支冠状动脉评分与年龄、心率、管电压、管电流、螺距、对比剂总量、对比剂流率的关系.结果 共评价72例患儿(平均1.5岁),71.2%(205/288)的冠状动脉分支图像质量较好,可以用于诊断.左主干(3.64±0.49)分、前降支(2.97±0.40)分、右冠状动脉(2.82±0.70)分、回旋支(2.76±0.73)分,各支评分依次降低而不完全相同(F=29.00,P<0.01).<1岁组(2.80±0.65)分、≥1～3岁组(2.81±0.74)分、>3～14岁组(3.58±0.52)分,各组评分依次升高而不完全相同(F=20.16,P<0.01).心率<100次/min(bpm)组(3.54±0.56)分,100～150 bpm组(2.86±0.70)分,>150 bpm组(2.81±0.63)分,各组评分依次降低而不完全相同(F=16.72,P<0.01).多元回归分析显示年龄(r=0.013,P<0.01)和对比剂总量(r=0.292,P=0.011)与左主干评分呈正相关;年龄(r=0.509,P<0.01)、管电压与前降支评分呈正相关(r=0.292,P<0.01),心率与前降支评分呈负相关(r=-0.179,P<0.05);年龄与回旋支评分呈负相关(r=0.063,P<0.01);年龄、管电压与右冠状动脉评分呈正相关(r值分别为0.486、0.220,P值分别<0.01、<0.05).结论 DSCT能够清晰显示3岁以上或心率<100 bpm的先天性心脏病儿童的冠状动脉,限制DSCT成像效果的是患儿的基础心律和年龄.     

Whole-heart steady-state free precession coronary artery magnetic resonance angiography.

Current implementations of coronary artery magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) suffer from limited coverage of the coronary arterial system. Whole-heart coronary MRA was implemented based on a free-breathing steady-state free-precession (SSFP) technique with magnetization preparation. The technique was compared to a similar implementation of conventional, thin-slab coronary MRA in 12 normal volunteers. Three thin-slab volumes were prescribed: 1) a transverse slab, covering the left main (LM) artery and proximal segments of the left anterior ascending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCX) coronary arteries; 2) a double-oblique slab covering the right coronary artery (RCA); and 3) a double-oblique slab covering the proximal and distal segments of the LCX. The whole-heart data set was reformatted in identical orientations. Visible vessel length, vessel sharpness, and vessel diameter were determined and compared separately for each vessel. Whole-heart coronary MRA visualized LM/LAD (11.7 +/- 3.4 cm) and LCX (6.9 +/- 3.6 cm) over a significantly longer distance than the transverse volume (LM/LAD, 6.1 +/- 1.1 cm, P < 0.001; LCX, 4.2 +/- 1.2 cm, P < 0.05). Improvements in visible vessel length for RCA and LCX in the whole-heart approach vs. their respective targeted volumes were not significant. It is concluded that the whole-heart coronary MRA technique improves visible vessel length and facilitates high-quality coronary MRA of the complete coronary artery tree in a single measurement.     

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.     

Single breath-hold three-dimensional MR coronary angiography with true FISP

Single breath-hold MR coronary angiography with three-dimensional (3D) true FISP was performed in 6 volunteers. Every scan was performed in a single breath-hold, and no contrast material was used. The length of visualized vessels was 12.2 +/- 1.2 cm for the RCA and 6.6 +/- 1.1 cm for the LAD. The signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio were 22.8 +/- 6.8 and 17.5 +/- 7.1, respectively. MR coronary angiography with 3D true FISP has the potential to obtain good coronary angiograms for the screening of coronary artery disease.     

Navigator echo-based respiratory gating for three-dimensional MR coronary angiography: reduction of scan time using a slice interpolation technique

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare a conventional respiratory-gated 3D MR coronary angiographic technique (conventional MRCA) with a respiratory-gated 3D MR coronary angiographic technique that includes a slice interpolation technique (slice interpolation MRCA). Both MRCA techniques were compared based on the quality of visualization of the coronary arteries and the diagnostic accuracy in identifying hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenoses. METHOD: Forty patients with known proximal coronary artery stenosis after conventional CA were examined on a 1.5 T scanner, that is, 20 patients with each sequence. A 6 point grading system (0 = worst quality, 5 = best quality) was used to evaluate and compare the image quality. The length and proximal diameter of the depicted coronary arteries were measured. Detection of coronary artery stenoses was compared with that obtained by conventional CA by two blinded readers. RESULTS: With the slice interpolation technique, the average scan time of the entire heart was reduced by approximately 40%. With use of conventional MRCA, 69% of all proximal and middle coronary artery segments were visualized with a sufficient image quality; with the slice interpolation technique, 79% of these segments were depicted adequately. For the assessment of stenoses, sensitivity was 71% and specificity was 53% for conventional MRCA and 72 and 60% for slice interpolation MRCA, respectively. These differences in sensitivity and specificity were statistically not significant. CONCLUSION: The application of a slice interpolation technique reduces the scan time, maintains a comparable sensitivity and specificity for the assessment of coronary artery stenoses, and increases the number of completely identified coronary artery segments compared with the conventional technique.     

核素心肌灌注显像和CT冠状动脉造影检测冠状动脉心肌桥所致心肌血液供应异常

目的利用SPECT／CT完成同机核素MPI和CTCA,探讨冠状动脉（简称冠脉）心肌桥（MB）对心肌血液供应的影响。方法回顾性分析2008年3月至2013年3月间294例以胸闷、胸痛或心悸为主要症状、接受MPI及同机CTCA检查的患者资料,筛选出冠脉MB患者49例[男26例,女23例,年龄32～85（55．4±16．6）岁]。统计MB和缺血发生部位;将MPI和CTCA图像进行融合,对融合图像上MB．壁冠脉穿行心肌缺血区域、且CAG证实该区域供血冠脉不存在粥样斑块所致管腔狭窄者,判定心肌缺血为MB所致。利用z。检验比较不同部位MB引发心肌缺血改变的发生率差异。结果49例冠脉MB患者中,MB位于前降支近段3例,前降支中段34例,前降支远段4例,间隔支3例,回旋支远段2例,中间支I例,右冠脉近中段2例;MPI显示心肌缺血41例（缺血部位46处）,其中心尖部3例,前壁心尖部5例,前壁中部17例,间隔心尖部4例,前间隔中部3例,前侧壁中部2例,下侧壁中部2例,下侧壁基底段4例,下壁近心尖部3例,下壁基底段3例;融合图像示MB引发的心肌缺血有32例,其中23例由前降支中段MB所致。MB位于好发部位组（前降支中段,34例）与非好发部位组（15例）的心肌缺血发生率分别为67．6％（23／34）和60．0％（9／15）,差异无统计学意义（x2=0．27,P〉0．05）。结论左冠脉前降支中段是MB的好发部位,不同部位的MB引发心肌缺血的发生率无显著差异。MPI／CTCA融合影像可同时探测心肌缺血和冠脉MB的部位,判断MB对心肌血液供应的影响。     

关于16层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像最佳重建相位窗选择的探讨

目的探讨16层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影的最佳重建相位窗。方法32例健康受检者行16层CT冠状动脉成像检查,在6个相位窗（心动周期的R波后40％、50％、60％、70％、80％、90％）上对冠状动脉进行CT图像重组,对这6个时相的薄层图像进行最大密度投影、二维曲面重建、多平面重建和容积再现重建。结果每位受检者的4条冠状动脉分支（左冠状动脉主干、左前降支、左回旋支、右冠状动脉）分别用于图像质量分析。左主干在6个R—R时相均显示良好,左前降支、左回旋支在70％相位窗的图像质量最佳,右冠状动脉在80％相位窗的图像质量最佳,整体图像在70％相位窗的重组图像质量最佳。结论16层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像,应首先选择70％相位窗。选择最佳相位窗进行图像重建可以明显提高图像质量和工作效率。     

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.     

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.     

Detection of moderate and severe coronary artery stenosis with technetium-99m tetrofosmin myocardial single-photon emission tomography

The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of technetium-99m tetrofosmin myocardial imaging for the localization of coronary artery stenoses of different degrees of severity. Stress-rest single-photon emission tomography (SPET) was performed on separate days in 80 patients (64 males, 16 females; mean age 61 years; 43 patients with previous myocardial infarction; 18 patients with pharmacological stress), within 6 months of coronary angiography. Scintigraphic images were blindly and independently evaluated by three observers. Coronary stenosis was defined as a >50% narrowing in luminal diameter; severe stenosis was defined as a proximal stenosis of >75% or a peripheral stenosis of >90%. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries or insignificant coronary stenosis in 13 patients and significant coronary stenoses in 67 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of ^99mTc-tetrofosmin SPET in respect of severely stenosed vessels were, respectively, 80% and 65% for the left anterior descending artery (LAD), 100% and 46% for the right coronary artery (RCA) and 58 and 78% for the left circumflex artery (LCx) territories. Considering all the significantly stenosed vessels, a significant decrease in sensitivity was observed for LAD territories (to 59%, P=0.05), and a nonsignificant decrease for RCA (88%) and LCx (47%) territories while specificity values remained essentially unchanged. No significant changes in sensitivity or specificity were observed when regions with previous myocardial infarction were excluded. In conclusion, the sensitivity of ^99mTc-tetrofosmin SPET for the localization of individual stenosed vessels is only moderate when all significant stenoses are considered, but the ability of this technique to predict the location of severe coronary artery stenoses seems satisfactory, with the exception of the low specificity in respect of RCA territories. Received 26 April and in revised form 7 June 1997     

Evaluation of free-breathing three-dimensional magnetic resonance coronary angiography with hybrid ordered phase encoding (HOPE) for the detection of proximal coronary artery stenosis.

We evaluated free-breathing, prospective navigator-gated, three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA) with hybrid ordered phase-encoding (HOPE), in the detection of proximal coronary artery stenosis. The coronary arteries were imaged in 46 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. The mean scan time was 48 minutes. The mean arterial length (mm) visualized was left main stem (LMS) 11.7 (SD 4.5), left anterior descending (LAD) 30.1 (SD 11.1), circumflex (LCx) 15.5 (SD 8.6), and right (RCA) 56.2 (SD 20.8). Twenty-three patients had coronary artery disease with 47 significant stenoses on cardiac catheterization. All LMS were normal on both catheterization and MRCA. MRCA sensitivity was highest for the LAD (89% CI 65%-99%) and RCA (76% CI 50%-93%), but lower for the LCx (50% CI 21%-79%). Specificity ranged from 72%-100%. Improvements in image quality, length of vessel seen, and specific imaging of the LCx are required for MRCA to become an alternative to cardiac catheterization.     

利用虚拟平扫降低冠状动脉CT血管造影辐射剂量的可行性研究

目的探讨利用双层探测器光谱CT冠状动脉CT血管造影(CCTA)钙化积分的虚拟平扫成像(VNC)降低扫描辐射剂量的可行性。方法回顾性分析2019年3月至2020年8月在南京大学医学院附属鼓楼医院双层探测器光谱CT行CCTA扫描的122例患者资料。记录每位患者的CT容积剂量指数(CTDIvol)、剂量长度乘积(DLP)及有效剂量(E)。记录检查时间。在后处理工作站中, 基于CCTA的光谱基数据(SBI)生成VNC图像。2名医师分别独立评价左前降支(LAD)、左回旋支(LCx)、右冠状动脉(RCA)真实平扫(TNC)及VNC的钙化积分(CS_TNC, CS_VNC)并做Pearson相关性分析, 得到校正系数λ, 各分支校正系数分别记为λLAD、λLCx、λRCA, 总体冠状动脉(Total)的平均校正系数记为λAVG。校正后VNC的CS(CCS_VNC)=λ× CS_VNC。采用重复测量单因素方差分析比较CS_TNC、CCS_VNC的差异;采用Bland-Altman法分...     

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.     

Comparison of coronary artery measurements between echocardiograms and cardiac CT in Kawasaki disease patients with aneurysms

BackgroundAmerican Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for management of Kawasaki disease (KD) rely on coronary artery (CA) z-scores from echocardiograms. Compared with echocardiography, cardiac CT (CCT) offers better visualization of distal segments and evaluation for thrombosis and stenosis. Despite increasing use of CCT in KD, CA z-scores for CCT are not available and measurement concordance between imaging modalities is a critical knowledge gap.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed KD patients with CA aneurysms who had concurrent echocardiography and CCT between 2016 and 2020. Patients were included if they had history of CA z-scores of ≥3 on echocardiography during their clinical course. Agreement between CCT and echocardiography was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis.ResultsPaired CCT and echocardiography studies were available in 18 patients (21 studies). The largest CA aneurysms were large/giant (z-score ≥10) in 14 studies, medium (z-score ≥5, <10) in 3 studies, and small (z score ≥2.5, <5) in 2 studies. Intra- and inter-observer reliability for CCT measurements were high for all CA segments (ICC 99.7% and 98.6%). For the LMCA, proximal LAD and proximal and distal RCA there was high correlation between echocardiogram and CCT absolute measurements with wider variation between modalities for the distal LAD and circumflex. Overall, CCT measurements tended to be smaller than echocardiogram measurements, and led to a lower AHA z-score risk classification in 24% of studies.ConclusionCCT and echocardiography have high agreement for absolute measurements of proximal CA segments, but more measurement discrepancy exists for distal CA segments with bias toward lower dimensions on CCT.     

Fusion of MR coronary angiography and viability imaging: feasibility and clinical value for the assignment of myocardial infarctions

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of image fusion of MR-coronary angiography (MRCA) and delayed gadolinium enhancement imaging (LGE) and to assign areas of myocardial infarction to the corresponding supplying coronary arteries.

Materials and methods

An interactive segmentation of the coronary arteries was performed in MRCA data sets (n = 25). The LGE slices were matched onto the vessel segmentation to perform a fused analysis of coronary artery anatomy and LGE. The results were compared to the segmental model recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA). Standard of reference was the identification of the culprit lesion in the invasive coronary angiography (CA) (n = 20).

Results

The fused analysis allowed the assignment of MI to the supplying coronary artery in 13/20 patients. The sensitivities/specificities for the assignment of MI to the three main vessels were: LAD 63%/100%, LCX 75%/100%, and RCA 56%/100%, respectively.Using the AHA segmental model the sensitivities/specificities for the correct assignment of MI to the three main vessels were: LAD 88%/58%, LCX 94%/75%, and RCA 77%/73%, respectively.

Conclusion

Fusion images of MRCA and LGE provides added diagnostic information in the effort to determine the epicardial vessels responsible for the postischemic myocardial injury and therefore might be helpful to establish appropriate future therapeutic steps.     

屏气三维快速平衡稳态进动序列在磁共振冠状动脉成像中的可靠性研究

目的 :评价屏气三维快速平衡稳态进动 ( 3D FIESTA)序列在冠状动脉磁共振成像 (CMRA)中的可靠性。材料和方法 :67例受检者 ,采用心电触发的三维FIESTA序列 ,呼气末屏气采样 ,在 8个不同层面方向定位显示冠状动脉各主支 ,包括右冠 (RCA)、左主支 (LM)、左前降支 (LAD)和左回旋支 (LCX) ,以 0 -IV级图像质量体系为参照 ,评分II级以上作为可接受标准 ,采用美国心脏协会 (AHA)的冠状动脉分段标准评价其显示的长度和范围。结果 :67例受检者能够屏气配合完成检查的 65例 ,检查适用率为 97.0 % ;对AHA 18、19段 (RCA近段和中段 )、AHA 1、2 (LM)、AHA 3、5、7段 (LAD近段和中段 ) ,AHA 10段 (LCX近段 )的显示可重复性为 10 0 % ;对AHA 9、14、2 1段 (LAD、LCX和RCA的远段 )的显示可重复性分别为 95 .3 8%、72 .3 1%、96.92 %。结论 :此三维FIESTA序列可以稳定显示冠状动脉主要分支的近段和中段 ,初步具备临床应用的价值。     

Usefulness of 64-slice MDCT for follow-up of young children with coronary artery aneurysm due to Kawasaki disease: initial experience

To evaluate the initial application and value of 64-slice multidetector computed tomography as an alternative diagnostic modality in the follow-up of young children with coronary artery aneurysm due to Kawasaki disease. Twelve boys (mean age 5.1 years, range 1.8-7.8 years) for follow-up (time range from 1.1 to 5.1 years) of known Kawasaki disease and coronary artery aneurysm underwent 64-slice MDCT ECG-gated coronary angiography. All data were acquired without breath holding. Two pediatric radiologists independently assessed image quality and the diameter of all coronary segments were measured for each patient. The number, position, shape and size of each coronary artery aneurysm were observed and compared with those of ECHO performed previously. A total of 118/156 segments permitted visualization with diagnostic image quality, the CT measurements showed good inter-observer and intra-observer reliability, coefficients were 0.93 and 0.88, respectively. A total of 30 coronary artery aneurysms were identified with measured mean of 7.5+/-3.8 mm in diameter, and of 12.4+/-9.1 mm in longitudinal lengths.10 tumors were small, 8 tumors were medium and 12 tumors were giant aneurysm. The affected segments included LM7/12(58.3%), 9/12(75%) of LAD1, 4/12(33.3%) of LAD2, 2/12(16.7%) of LCX1; 6/12(50%) of RCA1, 9/12(75%) of RCA2 and 4/12(33.3%) of RCA3, including affected two segments in 9 tumors and three segments in 1 tumor. Calcifications were found in 5 aneurysms and 3/5 with thrombosis; six stenotic segments were found. ECHO failed to detect 8 tumors with 2/8 in LAD, 1/8 in LCX and 5/8 in RCA, and those included 4 small aneurysms. The use of 64-slice MDCT angiography proved valuable for monitoring young children with Kawasaki disease. However, further study is necessary to specify the sensitivity and specificity of MDCT in the follow-up.