Dual-source CT cardiac imaging: initial experience

• Published in: European radiology 2006-07, Vol.16 (7), p.1409-1415
• Main Authors: Johnson, Thorsten R C, Nikolaou, Konstantin, Wintersperger, Bernd J, Leber, Alexander W, von Ziegler, Franz, Rist, Carsten, Buhmann, Sonja, Knez, Andreas, Reiser, Maximilian F, Becker, Christoph R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithms; Angiography; Computed tomography; Contrast Media; Coronary Angiography - instrumentation; Coronary Angiography - methods; Coronary artery; Coronary Artery Disease - diagnostic imaging; Coronary vessels; Diagnostic systems; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Evaluation; Heart; Heart rate; Heart valves; Humans; Image contrast; Image processing; Image quality; Image reconstruction; Information Storage and Retrieval - methods; Medical imaging; Myocardium; Pilot Projects; Quality assessment; Radiographic Image Enhancement - instrumentation; Radiographic Image Enhancement - methods; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - instrumentation; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Single-Blind Method; Temporal resolution; Veins & arteries; Ventricle
• ISSN: 0938-7994; 1432-1084
• DOI: 10.1007/s00330-006-0298-y

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.