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Optimal image reconstruction intervals for non-invasive coronary angiography with 64-slice CT

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Abstract

The reconstruction intervals providing best image quality for non-invasive coronary angiography with 64-slice computed tomography (CT) were evaluated. Contrast-enhanced, retrospectively electrocardiography (ECG)-gated 64-slice CT coronary angiography was performed in 80 patients (47 male, 33 female; mean age 62.1±10.6 years). Thirteen data sets were reconstructed in 5% increments from 20 to 80% of the R-R interval. Depending on the average heart rate during scanning, patients were grouped as <65 bpm (n=49) and ≥65 bpm (n=31). Two blinded and independent readers assessed the image quality of each coronary segment with a diameter ≥1.5 mm using the following scores: 1, no motion artifacts; 2, minor artifacts; 3, moderate artifacts; 4, severe artifacts; and 5, not evaluative. The average heart rate was 63.3±13.1 bpm (range 38–102). Acceptable image quality (scores 1–3) was achieved in 99.1% of all coronary segments (1,162/1,172; mean image quality score 1.55±0.77) in the best reconstruction interval. Best image quality was found at 60% and 65% of the R-R interval for all patients and for each heart rate subgroup, whereas motion artifacts occurred significantly more often (P<0.01) at other reconstruction intervals. At heart rates <65 bpm, acceptable image quality was found in all coronary segments at 60%. At heart rates ≥65 bpm, the whole coronary artery tree could be visualized with acceptable image quality in 87% (27/31) of the patients at 60%, while ten segments in four patients were rated as non-diagnostic (scores 4–5) at any reconstruction interval. In conclusion, 64-slice CT coronary angiography provides best overall image quality in mid-diastole. At heart rates <65 bpm, diagnostic image quality of all coronary segments can be obtained at a single reconstruction interval of 60%.

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Acknowledgements

This research has been supported by the National Center of Competence in Research, Computer Aided and Image Guided Medical Interventions of the Swiss National Science Foundation, and by the Georg und Bertha Schwyzer-Winiker-Stiftung, Switzerland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland

    Sebastian Leschka, Lars Husmann, Lotus M. Desbiolles, Thomas Boehm, Borut Marincek & Hatem Alkadhi

  2. Cardiovascular Center, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Oliver Gaemperli, Tiziano Schepis, Pascal Koepfli & Philipp A. Kaufmann

  3. Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Philipp A. Kaufmann

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  1. Sebastian Leschka
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  2. Lars Husmann
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  3. Lotus M. Desbiolles
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  10. Hatem Alkadhi
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Correspondence to Hatem Alkadhi.

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Leschka, S., Husmann, L., Desbiolles, L.M. et al. Optimal image reconstruction intervals for non-invasive coronary angiography with 64-slice CT. Eur Radiol 16, 1964–1972 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-006-0262-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-006-0262-x

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