Evaluation with 64-slice CT of the prevalence of coronary artery variants and congenital anomalies: a retrospective study of 3,236 patients

Purpose

This study retrospectively evaluated the prevalence of anatomical coronary artery variants and congenital anomalies in 3,236 patients imaged with 64-slice computed tomography (CT).

Materials and methods

Over a period of 4 years, 3,236 patients underwent CT coronary angiography performed with the standard protocol. We assessed coronary artery dominance, presence of the intermediate branch, presence and number of diagonal and marginal branches and coronary anomalies subdivided into anomalies of origin and course, intrinsic anomalies and termination anomalies.

Results

Coronary dominance was right-sided in 88.1% of patients; the intermediate branch was present in 21.3%, the number of diagonal and marginal branches was one to two in >90%, and the number of coronary anomalies was 224 (89 of origin and course, 129 intrinsic anomalies and six termination anomalies).

Conclusions

Sixty-four-slice CT coronary angiography provides accurate three-dimensional evaluation of the coronary artery tree with correct visualisation of any coronary anomalies, a relatively common finding that had a prevalence of 5.7% in our study population.     

Prevalence of anatomical variants and coronary anomalies in 543 consecutive patients studied with 64-slice CT coronary angiography

The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of variants and anomalies of the coronary artery tree in patients who underwent 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography (CT-CA) for suspected or known coronary artery disease. A total of 543 patients (389 male, mean age 60.5 +/- 10.9) were reviewed for coronary artery variants and anomalies including post-processing tools. The majority of segments were identified according to the American Heart Association scheme. The coronary dominance pattern results were: right, 86.6%; left, 9.2%; balanced, 4.2%. The left main coronary artery had a mean length of 112 +/- 55 mm. The intermediate branch was present in the 21.9%. A variable number of diagonals (one, 25%; two, 49.7%; more than two, 24%; none, 1.3%) and marginals (one, 35.2%; two, 46.2%; more than two, 18%; none, 0.6%) was visualized. Furthermore, CT-CA may visualize smaller branches such as the conus branch artery (98%), the sinus node artery (91.6%), and the septal branches (93%). Single or associated coronary anomalies occurred in 18.4% of the patients, with the following distribution: 43 anomalies of origin and course, 68 intrinsic anomalies (59 myocardial bridging, nine aneurisms), three fistulas. In conclusion, 64-slice CT-CA provides optimal visualization of the variable and complex anatomy of coronary arteries because of the improved isotropic spatial resolution and flexible post-processing tool.     

64排容积CT对成人冠状动脉起源异常的诊断价值

 目的 探讨64排容积CT对成人冠状动脉起源异常的诊断价值.方法 回顾分析3 030例成人冠状动脉CTA检查资料. 结果 3 030例冠脉CTA中,检查出冠状动脉起源异常70例,检出率为2.3%,其中冠状动脉起源于对侧冠状窦及窦外27例(38.5%);冠状动脉高位开口23例(32.8%);前降支、回旋支均开口于左冠状窦17例(24.3%);单一冠脉2例(均为单一左冠,其中1例合并左主干高开口,2.8%),回旋支开口于对角支及窦房结支开口于右冠状窦各1例(1.4%).结论 64排容积CT诊断冠状动脉起源异常是一种无创、安全、准确、经济的检查方法 .     

Clinical application of 64-slice spiral CT in the diagnosis of the Tetralogy of Fallot

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical application of 64-slice spiral CT in the diagnosis of the Tetralogy of Fallot. METHODS: Eighteen patients with diagnosed Tetralogy of Fallot underwent cardiac CT angiography with 64-slice CT (CTA). Two- and three-dimensional images were used for diagnosing in all cases by means of MPR (coronal, sagital and oblique), cMPR, MIP and VRT. RESULTS: All patients had ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis and hypertrophy of right ventricle. The morphologic features of Tetralogy of Fallot were equal to echocardiography. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were detected on eight patients. Main coronary artery branches and partial sub-branches were visualized in all patients. Abnormal coronary arteries were found in seven cases: both left and right main coronary artery arising from the right aortic sinus one case, right main coronary artery and circumflex (CX) arising from the right aortic sinus one case, left anterior descending (LAD) and CX arising from left aortic sinus directly one case, left and right coronary artery arising from back and front of the aortic sinus, respectively, three cases. Pulmonary artery branch stenosis was found in 12 cases and branch pulmonary artery dilation noticed in 1 case. Double superior vena cava was also found in one case. According to the surgery the diagnostic accuracy of CT and Echocardiography was 95.45 and 83.33%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Two- and three-dimensional 64-slice CTA not only show the overall anatomical structure of the heart, but also show coronary and pulmonary arteries. With these results, evaluation of coronary anomalies and pulmonary artery stenosis with 64-MSCT is extremely valuable for planning the operative procedure on the patients with Tetralogy of Fallot.     

64层螺旋CT诊断成人冠状动脉起源异常

目的 探讨64层螺旋CT诊断成人冠状动脉起源异常的价值。方法 对978例成人冠状动脉CT血管成像（CTA）资料进行回顾性分析、总结，并与国内外文献比较。结果 978例完整冠状动脉CTA结果中，共检出成人冠状动脉起源异常30例，检出率为3．07％，包括右冠状动脉起源异常9例（30．00％），左冠状动脉起源异常7例（23.33％），左、右冠状动脉均起源异常2例（6.67％），回旋支缺如1例（3.33％）和冠状动脉其他分支起源异常11例（36．67％）。结论 64层螺旋CT诊断成人冠状动脉起源异常是一种无创、安全和有效的方法。     

64层螺旋CT诊断先天性冠状动脉起源异常的价值

目的：探讨64层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影诊断冠状动脉起源异常的临床价值。材料和方法：回顾性总结2005年12月至2006年12月间1800例64层螺旋CT冠脉造影的结果，统计冠状动脉起源异常的发生率。结果：1800例检查者中发现冠脉起源异常51例，发病率2．8％。包括右冠状动脉变异11例（21．6％）、左冠状动脉变异8例（15．7％）、左右冠均发生变异1例（2％）、单支冠状动脉1例（2％）、分支变异28例（54．9％）。结论：64层螺旋CT是诊断冠状动脉起源异常的安全有效方法，对临床治疗有重要的意义。     

64MSCTA对冠状动脉变异的诊断及临床评价

目的评价64层螺旋CT冠状动脉血管成像（CTCA）对冠状动脉变异的诊断价值及临床评价。方法回顾性分析3529例临床疑为心肌缺血患者及常规体查者冠状动脉CTA影像检查结果并对发现的变异冠状动脉进行分类。结果3529例冠状动脉CTA受检者中,共检出冠状动脉变异42例（1．19％,42／3529）,MIP、VRT、CPR重建图像均明确显示其开口及走行;其中右冠状动脉起自主动脉左冠状窦者9例,左冠状动脉起自主动脉右冠状窦者2例,左回旋支异位开口于右冠窦1例,冠状动脉高位开口于升主动脉壁者6例．并行左主干3例（前降支、旋支分别开口于左冠窦）,左主干开口于肺动脉伴右冠状动脉瘤1例,左旋支-冠状静脉瘘者2例,副冠状动脉9例,右冠状动脉-左心室瘘合并右冠状动脉瘤l例。冠状动脉发育不良8例。结论冠状动脉CTA能准确显示各种类型冠状动脉变异,可作为无创性诊断冠状动脉变异的首选方法。     

Unusual origin and course of the first septal branch of the left coronary artery: Angiographic recognition

The anatomical variants of the origin and course of the first septal branch (S1) of the left coronary artery system have received little attention in the literature dealing with coronary angiography. We describe here the angiographic features of the ectopic origin of S1 from epicardial branches of the left coronary artery other than the left anterior descending artery as observed in 8 cases from a series of 700 consecutive patients (1.1%). The S1 originated from the left main coronary artery in 1 case, from a diagonal branch in 4, and from an intermediate branch in 3 cases. Previous reported cases are reviewed. Because the S1 may supply up to 15% of the blood to the myocardium, the recognition of this variable origin may have clinical implications and has to be considered as a part of the complete evaluation of coronary arteriograms of patients referred for coronary artery revascularization.     

256层CT评价心肌桥及其与冠状动脉粥样硬化的关系

目的:用256层CT冠脉成像技术评价心肌桥(myocardial bridge,MB)的发生率及其解剖特征与冠状动脉粥样硬化(athorosclerosis,AS)的关系。方法:收集行256层CT冠状动脉成像564例患者的资料,评价MB的有无、部位、长度、厚度、伴发的AS情况及MB解剖特点与AS关系。结果:564例检出MB 131例,159个,总发生率为23.2%(131/564),男性发生率28.8%(90/313)高于女性16.3%(41/251)(χ2=12.048 5,P=0.005)。第一对角支(D1)为最常累及的部位,其次为左前降支(LAD)。完全性MB 83个,不完全性MB 76个;完全性MB长度和厚度中位数分别为27.7mm(范围2.0～71.1mm)和2.4mm(范围1～6.9mm);其长度与厚度间无相关性(R=0.061 1,P=0.106 6)。不完全性MB的长度中位数为24.1mm(范围3.9～57.0mm)。桥血管及桥血管远段血管均未见AS改变。桥血管近段血管AS程度在LAD组高于D1组(χ2=7.576 6,P<0.05),完全性MB组高于不完全性MB组(χ2=7.484 9,P<0.05)。结论:256层CT冠脉成像技术能无创、清晰、可靠地显示活体内MB的存在及解剖特点,并能评估桥血管及其毗邻血管情况。     

64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像质量分析

目的评价64层螺旋cT冠状动脉成像（64SCTCA）在诊断冠状动脉疾病中的临床价值。方法收集683例临床可疑冠心病患者SCTCA的完整资料,并在有冠状动脉造影（CAG）作对照且CT血管造影（CTA）图像质量为1、2级的患者中,随机选取30例患者共450个冠状动脉节段作定量评价,并分析冠状动脉CTA诊断不同程度狭窄的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值及阴性预测值。结果683例患者中556例（81．4％）图像质量为1级,112例（16．4％）为2级,15例（2．2％）为3级,造成图像质量较差的原因主要是搏动伪影及呼吸伪影。所有1级、2级分支,绝大部分的3级分支和部分4级分支可得到良好显示。64SCTCA诊断不同程度冠状动脉狭窄的敏感性及阳性预测值均〉80％,特异性及阴性预测值均〉90％,其中轻度狭窄组最低,敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值及阴性预测值分别为81．2％,96．5％,90．8％,92．4％。结论64SCTCA对于冠状动脉狭窄的评估具有较高的诊断价值．适用于冠心病的筛查,具有重要的临床意义。     

Imaging of myocardial infarction using a 64-slice MDCT scanner: Correlation between infarcted region and status of territory-dependent coronary artery

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the ability of 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) to detect previous myocardial infarctions (MIs) in patients referred for the assessment of the coronary arteries. In patients with regional changes of left ventricular wall myocardial density, the territory-dependent coronary vessel status was examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 202 consecutive patients referred for 64-slice MDCT of the coronary arteries. In all cases, detailed, clinical, serological and electrocardiograph (ECG) data were collected to identify patients with a previous diagnosis of MI. An initial qualitative evaluation of MDCT images was performed in all patients to identify areas of suspected myocardial necrosis, which were defined as regions of lower density within normally enhanced left ventricular myocardium. Thereafter, in all patients with suspected MIs, attenuation values and left ventricular wall thickness were also measured at the level of the normal myocardium and within the hypodense regions. Each MI was also assigned to the distribution territory of a coronary vessel, and morphological data were combined with MDCT angiographic findings. RESULTS: After clinical assessment, MI was found in 27 patients (six acute).; 64-slice MDCT was able to detect the presence of MI in 24/27 cases, showing sensitivity and specificity of 89% and 95%, respectively, and an overall diagnostic accuracy of 95%. Quantitative analysis showed a significant difference (p<0.01) between attenuation values of normal vs. infarcted myocardium (124.5+/-19 HU vs. 56.1+/-23 HU, respectively); wall thinning was exclusively observed in chronic MIs (p<0.01). In 23/24 detected cases, analysis of territory-dependent arteries showed findings compatible with presence of MI. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of MI is well depicted with retrospective 64-slice MDCT. The main advantage of 64-slice MDCT is that it allows to evaluate and relate the status of a vessel and its dependent myocardial region in a single exam.     

基于64层CT的左冠状动脉前降支动脉硬化程度与左心功能改变相关性研究

目的：利用64层CT对左冠状动脉前降支动脉硬化与左心功能变化之间的相关性进行评估.方法：经64层CT确诊的左冠状动脉前降支（LAD）硬化狭窄共83例,正常对照组20例,均行64层螺旋CT心功能分析,分别计算出左室心肌质量、左室射血分数、左室舒张末期容积、左室收缩末期容积和每搏输出量等参数.按前降支管腔狭窄程度（〈50%,50%～70%,〉75%）对研究对象进行分组,并进行统计学分析.结果：A组（管腔狭窄〈50%）21例,心功能参数无显著变化;B组（管腔狭窄50%～75%）33例,主要表现为左室心肌质量增加,左室收缩末期容积增加,射血分数减小;C组（管腔狭窄〉75%）29例,可见LAD多发软斑块或混合性宽块,左心室心功能明显减低.结论：随着左冠状动脉前降支狭窄程度加重,心功能经历代偿到失代偿动态过程,64层CT在评价冠状动脉粥样硬化狭窄程度与心功能相关性方面具有重要价值.     

64排CTA对冠状动脉埋藏式走行的诊断价值

目的:探讨64排128层螺旋CT对先天性冠状动脉起源异常及埋藏式走行的诊断价值。方法:回顾性分析25例冠脉起源异常患者的64排128层CT冠脉血管成像及冠脉血管造影(CAG)资料。CT检查资料采用容积再现(VR)、曲面重组(MPR)及最大密度投影(MIP)等方法进行图像后处理,观察冠状动脉的起源及走行,并与CAG的结果进行对照。结果:MSCTA显示25例患者均为冠状动脉起源于相反主动脉窦开口,16例(16/25)为右冠状动脉起自左冠状窦,其中6例为右冠状动脉走行于主动脉与肺动脉-右室流出道之间,呈埋藏式走行;9例为左冠状动脉起源于右冠状窦,其中2例为左冠状动脉走行于主动脉与肺动脉-右室流出道之间,呈埋藏式走行。8例埋藏式走行的冠状动脉中7例冠脉与主动脉间夹角<45°,7例管腔狭窄>50%。25例患者中CAG仅正确诊断冠脉起源异常22例,漏诊2例、误诊1例,8例冠脉埋藏式走行均未能提示。结论:64排128层CTA对冠脉起源异常及冠脉埋藏式走行的诊断准确性高,优于冠状动脉造影检查。     

MSCT对冠状动脉变异的诊断价值

目的 :分析多层螺旋CT(MSCT)对冠状动脉变异的诊断价值。方法 :回顾性分析总结 9例患者的MSCT冠状动脉成像资料。结果 :9例冠状动脉变异患者中冠状动脉开口起源异常 4例 ,单一冠状动脉 1例 ,右冠状动脉发育不良1例 ,左回旋支缺如 1例 ,冠状动脉分支起源异常 2例。结论 :MSCT可无创性准确诊断各种冠状动脉变异。     

64层螺旋CT冠状动脉图像质量控制研究:最佳重组时相与心率关系

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

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.     

16层螺旋CT冠状动脉血管成像技术临床应用

目的:探讨16层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像技术临床应用价值。方法:对45例临床诊断或可疑冠心病的住院患者行16层螺旋CT冠状动脉回顾性心电门控平扫及增强扫描。将增强扫描图像传送到Wizard图像工作站进行最大密度投影(MIP)、多平面重组(MPR)、曲面重组(CPR)、容积再现技术(VRT)及平带多平面重组(RMPR)。并将VRT及MIP重组像为参照,用平扫图像对冠状动脉各支段进行钙化积分。结果:左冠状动脉主干(LM)、左前降支近中段(LAD1、LAD2)、第一对角支(D1)、左回旋支(LCX)及右冠状动脉近段(RCA1)显示均45例(100%),左前降支远段(LAD3)23例(51%),第二对角支(D2)30例(67%),第三对角支(D3)24例(53%),第一左缘支(M1)36例(80%),第二缘支(M2)28例(62%),右冠状动脉中段(RCA2)41例(91%),右冠状动脉远段(RCA3)43例(96%)及后降支(PDA)34例(76%)。左冠状动脉主干钙化12例(27%),左前降支近中段钙化有29例(64%),左回旋支钙化例数22例(49%),右冠状动脉近中段钙化有24例(53%)。结论:16层螺旋CT可对冠状动脉进行钙化积分并准确显影,是冠状动脉粥样硬化疾病筛选和诊断的首选方法。     

Delineation of temporal bone anatomy: feasibility of low-dose 64-row CT in regard to image quality

The aim of our present study was to evaluate the visualization of anatomical landmarks of the temporal bone using a low-dose 64-slice computed tomography (CT) technique. A total of 120 patients were evaluated, 60 patients (mean age 47.1 years; 36 male, 24 female) underwent examination with a 4-slice CT scanner: 180 mAs, 120 kV, 1 s rotation time, 2 × 0.5 mm collimation, 0.5 mm slice thickness. Another 60 consecutive patients (mean age 37.4 years; 43 male, 37 female) were examined using a 64-slice CT low-dose protocol: 140 mAs, 120 kV, 1 s rotation time, 12 × 0.6 mm collimation, 0.6 mm slice thickness. The visibility of 42 landmarks was scored by two blinded radiologists using a five-point quality rating scale. Mean equivalent dose was significantly lower for the 64-slice CT protocol (0.31 mSv ± 0.12 mSv) compared to the 4-slice CT protocol (0.61 mSv ± 0.08 mSv). Despite increased image noise, only 19% of the anatomical landmarks were delineated significantly better on the axial sections of the 4-slice CT and only 9.5% of the anatomical landmarks on the reformatted coronal images. The interobserver agreement did not differ significantly between the two modalities. Low-dose 64-slice CT technique facilitates temporal bone imaging with sufficient anatomical detail.     

64层螺旋CT三维重建在肝脏门静脉右前支分段中的应用研究

目的利用64层螺旋CT三维重建技术观察肝脏门静脉右前支分支类型及亚段的解剖标志,为肝段划分提供准确的影像学依据。方法共165例腹部CT增强扫描资料,重组门静脉血管树,分析门静脉右前支分段的解剖标志并对右前支3级血管进行分型。结果 145例（87.9%）右前支门静脉3级分支之间存在一缺少血管的裂隙,此裂隙将右前支分为腹侧段和背侧段,其中42例腹侧段及背侧段分支间分别存在一缺少血管的裂隙,并再分为两个亚段;在这一裂隙中有一肝中静脉或肝右静脉走行。20例（12.1%）右前支分为上段和下段。右前支依据门静脉3级分支的不同分为5种类型,Ia型25.5%（42/165例）;Ib型43.6%（72/165例）;Ic型18.8%（31/165例）;IIa型7.9%（13/165例）;IIb型4.2%（7/165例）。结论 64层螺旋CT三维重建技术可以清晰显示门静脉右前支的分支类型及亚段解剖标志,为肝脏右前叶亚段手术提供可靠的影像学依据。     

Assessment of global and regional left ventricular function using 64-slice multislice computed tomography and 2D echocardiography: a comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance

OBJECTIVES: To compare the assessment of global and regional left ventricular (LV) function using 64-slice multislice computed tomography (MSCT), 2D echocardiography (2DE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients (mean age, 56.5+/-9.7 years) referred for evaluation of coronary artery using 64-slice MSCT also underwent 2DE and CMR within 48h. The global left ventricular function which include left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVdV) and left ventricular end systolic volume (LVsV) were determine using the three modalities. Regional wall motion (RWM) was assessed visually in all three modalities. The CMR served as the gold standard for the comparison between 64-slice MSCT with CMR and 2DE with CMR. Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman plots and kappa-statistics. RESULTS: The 64-slice MSCT agreed well with CMR for assessment of LVEF (r=0.92; p<0.0001), LVdV (r=0.98; p<0.0001) and LVsV (r=0.98; p<0.0001). In comparison with 64-slice MSCT, 2DE showed moderate correlation with CMR for the assessment of LVEF (r=0.84; p<0.0001), LVdV (r=0.83; p<0.0001) and LVsV (r=0.80; p<0.0001). However in RWM analysis, 2DE showed better accuracy than 64-slice MSCT (94.3% versus 82.4%) and closer agreement (kappa=0.89 versus 0.63) with CMR. CONCLUSION: 64-Slice MSCT correlates strongly with CMR in global LV function however in regional LV function 2DE showed better agreement with CMR than 64-slice MSCT.