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Sartoretti T, McDermott MC, Stammen L, Martens B, Moser LJ, Jost G, Pietsch H, Gutjahr R, Nowak T, Schmidt B, Flohr TG, Wildberger JE, Alkadhi H. Tungsten-Based Contrast Agent for Photon-Counting Detector CT Angiography in Calcified Coronaries: Comparison to Iodine in a Cardiovascular Phantom. Invest Radiol 2024:00004424-990000000-00204. [PMID: 38526041 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000001073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Calcified plaques induce blooming artifacts in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) potentially leading to inaccurate stenosis evaluation. Tungsten represents a high atomic number, experimental contrast agent with different physical properties than iodine. We explored the potential of a tungsten-based contrast agent for photon-counting detector (PCD) CCTA in heavily calcified coronary vessels. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cardiovascular phantom exhibiting coronaries with calcified plaques was imaged on a first-generation dual-source PCD-CT. The coronaries with 3 different calcified plaques were filled with iodine and tungsten contrast media solutions equating to iodine and tungsten delivery rates (IDR and TDR) of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 g/s, respectively. Electrocardiogram-triggered sequential acquisitions were performed in the spectral mode (QuantumPlus). Virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) were reconstructed from 40 to 190 keV in 1 keV increments. Blooming artifacts and percentage error stenoses from calcified plaques were quantified, and attenuation characteristics of both contrast media were recorded. RESULTS Blooming artifacts from calcified plaques were most pronounced at 40 keV (78%) and least pronounced at 190 keV (58%). Similarly, percentage error stenoses were highest at 40 keV (48%) and lowest at 190 keV (2%), respectively. Attenuation of iodine decreased monotonically in VMIs from low to high keV, with the strongest decrease from 40 keV to 100 keV (IDR of 2.5 g/s: 1279 HU at 40 keV, 187 HU at 100 kV, and 35 HU at 190 keV). The attenuation of tungsten, on the other hand, increased monotonically as a function of VMI energy, with the strongest increase between 40 and 100 keV (TDR of 2.5 g/s: 202 HU at 40 keV, 661 HU at 100 kV, and 717 HU at 190 keV). For each keV level, the relationship between attenuation and IDR/TDR could be described by linear regressions (R2 ≥ 0.88, P < 0.001). Specifically, attenuation increased linearly when increasing the delivery rate irrespective of keV level or contrast medium. Iodine exhibited the highest relative increase in attenuation values at lower keV levels when increasing the IDR. Conversely, for tungsten, the greatest relative increase in attenuation values occurred at higher keV levels when increasing the TDR. When high keV imaging is desirable to reduce blooming artifacts from calcified plaques, IDR has to be increased at higher keV levels to maintain diagnostic vessel attenuation (ie, 300 HU), whereas for tungsten, TDR can be kept constant or can be even reduced at high keV energy levels. CONCLUSIONS Tungsten's attenuation characteristics in relation to VMI energy levels are reversed to those of iodine, with tungsten exhibiting high attenuation values at high keV levels and vice versa. Thus, tungsten shows promise for high keV imaging CCTA with PCD-CT as-in distinction to iodine-both high vessel attenuation and low blooming artifacts from calcified plaques can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Sartoretti
- From the Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (T.S., L.J.M., H.A.); Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands (T.S., M.C.M., L.S., B.M., T.G.F., J.E.W.); CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands (T.S., M.C.M., L.S., B.M., J.E.W.); Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany (M.C.M., G.J., H.P.); and Computed Tomography Division, Siemens Healthineers AG (R.G., T.N., B.S., T.G.F.), Forchheim, Germany
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Lin CS, Peng BR, Ma HB, Chen KL, Lin TH, Pan LK, Lin YH. Inverse Problem Algorithm-Based Time-Resolved Imaging of Head and Neck Computed Tomography Angiography Contrast Kinetics with Clinical Testification. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3354. [PMID: 37958250 PMCID: PMC10649766 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13213354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This study mitigated the challenge of head and neck CT angiography by IPA-based time-resolved imaging of contrast kinetics. To this end, 627 cerebral hemorrhage patients with dizziness, brain aneurysm, stroke, or hemorrhagic stroke diagnosis were randomly categorized into three groups, namely, the original dataset (450), verification group (112), and in vivo testified group (65), in the Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. In the first stage, seven risk factors were assigned: age, CTA tube voltage, body surface area, heart rate per minute, cardiac output blood per minute, the actual injected amount of contrast media, and CTA delayed trigger timing. The expectation value of the semi-empirical formula was the CTA number of the patient's left artery (LA). Accordingly, 29 items of the first-order nonlinear equation were calculated via the inverse problem analysis (IPA) technique run in the STATISTICA 7.0 program, yielding a loss function and variance of 3.1837 and 0.8892, respectively. A dimensionless AT was proposed to imply the coincidence, with a lower AT indicating a smaller deviation between theoretical and practical values. The derived formula was confirmed for the verification group of 112 patients, reaching high coincidence, with average ATavg and standard deviation values of 3.57% and 3.06%, respectively. In the second stage, the formula was refined to find the optimal amount of contrast media for the CTA number of LA approaching 400. Finally, the above procedure was applied to head and neck CTA images of the third group of 65 patients, reaching an average CTA number of LA of 407.8 ± 16.2 and finding no significant fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Sheng Lin
- Department of Radiology, BenQ Medical Center, Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; (C.-S.L.); (H.-B.M.)
| | - Bing-Ru Peng
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Science, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Takun, Taichung 406, Taiwan; (B.-R.P.); (T.-H.L.); (L.-K.P.)
| | - Hong-Bing Ma
- Department of Radiology, BenQ Medical Center, Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; (C.-S.L.); (H.-B.M.)
| | - Ke-Lin Chen
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315012, China;
| | - Tsung-Han Lin
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Science, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Takun, Taichung 406, Taiwan; (B.-R.P.); (T.-H.L.); (L.-K.P.)
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital, Taichung 411, Taiwan
| | - Lung-Kwang Pan
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Science, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Takun, Taichung 406, Taiwan; (B.-R.P.); (T.-H.L.); (L.-K.P.)
| | - Ya-Hui Lin
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Science, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Takun, Taichung 406, Taiwan; (B.-R.P.); (T.-H.L.); (L.-K.P.)
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital, Taichung 411, Taiwan
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Van Gompel G, Delombaerde L, Zanca F, Tanaka K, Belsack D, de Mey J, Buls N. A patient- and acquisition-tailored injection approach for improving consistency of CT enhancement towards a target CT value in coronary CT angiography. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2022; 24:e13867. [PMID: 36537145 PMCID: PMC9860000 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unoptimized coronary CT angiography (CTA) exams typically result in a highly variable arterial enhancement (HUa ) across patients. This study aimed at harmonizing arterial enhancement by implementing a patient-, contrast- and kV-tailored injection protocol. METHODS First, the optimal body size metric to predict HUa was identified by retrospectively analysing images of 76 patients, acquired with 70 ml contrast media (G1). Second, using phantom experiments, correction factors for the effect of kV and contrast concentration on HUa were determined. Third, a model was developed, prescribing the optimal contrast dose to be injected to obtain a diagnostically appropriate arterial target enhancement HUtarget . The model was then validated on 278 prospectively collected patients, in two groups with two different HUtarget : 525 HU (207 patients, G2A) and 425 HU (71 patients, G2B). The HUa histograms were compared among groups and to the target enhancement through their mean and standard deviation (SD) at 100 kVp reference level. Also, signal-to-noise ratio was obtained and compared among the groups. RESULTS Fat free mass (FFM) showed the highest correlation with HUa (r = 0.69). KVp correction factors ranged from 0.65 at 70 kVp to 1.22 at 140 kVp. The obtained model reduced the group heterogeneity (SD) from 101HU for reference G1 to 75HU (p < 0.001) for G2A and 68HU (p < 0.001) for G2B. The mean HUa of 506HU in G2A was slightly below HUtarget = 525HU (p = 0.01) whereas in G2B, the mean HUa of 414HU was not significantly different from HUtarget = 425HU (p = 0.54). The total iodine dose was lowered from 19.5 g-I to 17.6 g-I and 14.2 g-I from G1 to G2A and G2B, on average. CONCLUSION A contrast injection model, based on patient's fat free mass and accounting for the contrast agent concentration and the planned CT-scan tube voltage, harmonized arterial enhancement among patients towards a predefined target enhancement in coronary CTA scanning, without affecting the bolus timing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gert Van Gompel
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Department of RadiologyBrusselsBelgium
| | | | | | - Kaoru Tanaka
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Department of RadiologyBrusselsBelgium
| | - Dries Belsack
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Department of RadiologyBrusselsBelgium
| | - Johan de Mey
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Department of RadiologyBrusselsBelgium
| | - Nico Buls
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Department of RadiologyBrusselsBelgium
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Zhao L, Bao J, Guo Y, Li J, Yang X, Lv T, Hao F, Wang Z, Yang Z, Liu A. Ultra-low dose one-step CT angiography for coronary, carotid and cerebral arteries using 128-slice dual-source CT: A feasibility study. Exp Ther Med 2019; 17:4167-4175. [PMID: 30988794 PMCID: PMC6447913 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic diseases are systemic and patient outcomes depend on comprehensive imaging evaluation. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a powerful tool used to assess atherosclerosis. However, the scanning protocol is designed for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular imaging, which require considerations into the radiation dose, contrast agent and image quality. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate ultra-low dose one-step CTA for coronary, carotid and cerebral arteries with a low concentration contrast agent. A total of 78 patients were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: Group A (n=38) and B (n=40). High-pitch CTA for coronary, carotid and cerebral arteries with a tube voltage of 70 or 80 kVp and 40 ml contrast agent (270 mgI/ml) was performed by a 128-slice dual-source CT scanner for group A. Standard high-pitch CTA with a tube voltage of 100 kVp and 60 ml contrast agent (370 mgI/ml) was conducted for group B. The image quality, radiation dose and amount of contrast agent in group A were evaluated and compared with group B. The dose length product for groups A and B was 62.95±21.54 vs. 160.15±15.13 mGy cm, respectively (t=−23.157, P<0.001). The mean total iodine content was 10.8±0 mg for group A and 22.2±0 mg for group B. In total, 99.4% of the arterial segments could be assessed for the two groups (χ2=0.267, P=0.606). The results revealed that ultra-low dose one-step high-pitch CTA can provide assessable image quality, and minimize the radiation dose and contrast agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhao
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R. China
| | - Jiaqi Bao
- Department of Cardiology, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010020, P.R. China
| | - Youmin Guo
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Jianbo Li
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoguang Yang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R. China
| | - Tiegang Lv
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R. China
| | - Fen'E Hao
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R. China
| | - Zefeng Wang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R. China
| | - Zhenxing Yang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R. China
| | - Aishi Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R. China
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Image quality and diagnostic value of ultra low-voltage, ultra low-contrast coronary CT angiography. Eur Radiol 2019; 29:3678-3685. [DOI: 10.1007/s00330-019-06111-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Zhang W, Ba Z, Wang Z, Lv H, Zhao J, Zhang Y, Zhang F, Song L. Diagnostic performance of low-radiation-dose and low-contrast-dose (double low-dose) coronary CT angiography for coronary artery stenosis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e11798. [PMID: 30142766 PMCID: PMC6113019 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000011798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of low-radiation-dose and low-contrast-dose (double low-dose) coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) for coronary artery stenosis in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).Totally 88 patients with suspected CAD were divided in the routine and double low-dose groups. Subjective image quality (IQ) was scored and diagnostic performance for detecting ≥50% stenosis was determined with the invasive coronary angiography. IQ and diagnostic performance were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups.There was no significant difference in the IQ of coronary artery between the routine and double low-dose groups, with good inter-observer agreement for the IQ. There were no significant differences in the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy on the per-patient, per-vessel, or per-segment level between the routine and double low-dose groups. The contrast medium injection volume in the double low-dose group was reduced by 37.1% compared with the routine-dose group. The effective dose in the double low dose was reduced by 44.5% compared with the routine-dose group.Double low-dose coronary CTA with IR can acquire satisfactory IQ and have high diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the detection of coronary artery stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan
| | - Zhaogui Ba
- Department of Radiology, Laigang Hospital Affiliated to Taishan Medical University, Laiwu, Shandong
| | - Zhenqiang Wang
- Department of Radiology, Laigang Hospital Affiliated to Taishan Medical University, Laiwu, Shandong
| | - Huaying Lv
- Department of Radiology, Laigang Hospital Affiliated to Taishan Medical University, Laiwu, Shandong
| | - Jun Zhao
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan
| | - Yonghua Zhang
- Department of Radiology, People's Hospital of Yutian County, Yutian, Hebei, China
| | - Feixue Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan
| | - Lei Song
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan
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Tang Z. Application of double low dose combined low flow injection in coronary dual-source coronary computed tomography angiography. Echocardiography 2018; 35:1442-1447. [PMID: 29864195 DOI: 10.1111/echo.14036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was aimed to explore the feasibility of lower tube voltage, low volumes of contrast medium, and low flow injection in prospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered high-pitch dual-source coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for coronary artery imaging. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 140 patients with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 18.5 to 24.3 kg/m2 and heart rate (HR) lower than 65 times/min underwent CCTA were divided randomly into two groups. The enhanced CT value and noise as well as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. Coronary artery was evaluated by double-blind method using a four-point grading scale. RESULTS No significant differences were found in the average enhanced CT value, noise, SNR, and CNR of all segments between the two groups (P > .05). Meanwhile, effective radiation dosages in group A were markedly lower than those in group B (P < .01). CONCLUSION The prospective ECG-triggered high-pitch dual-source CCTA with low voltage, contrast medium, and flow rate injection using sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction is feasible which can observably reduce radiation and obtain satisfactory images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Tang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Xin Tai People's Hospital, Taian, China
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Benz DC, Gräni C, Hirt Moch B, Mikulicic F, Vontobel J, Fuchs TA, Stehli J, Clerc OF, Possner M, Pazhenkottil AP, Gaemperli O, Buechel RR, Kaufmann PA. A low-dose and an ultra-low-dose contrast agent protocol for coronary CT angiography in a clinical setting: quantitative and qualitative comparison to a standard dose protocol. Br J Radiol 2017; 90:20160933. [PMID: 28406318 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20160933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of a low-dose (LD) and an ultra-LD (ULD) contrast protocol for coronary CT angiography on qualitative and quantitative image parameters in a clinical setting. METHODS We scanned 120 consecutive patients with a 256-slice CT scanner applying a LD (60 patients, 35-55 ml) or ULD (60 patients, 25-45 ml) contrast protocol adapted to the body mass index. Visually assessed image quality and attenuation measured in each coronary segment were retrospectively compared in 20 consecutive patients scanned with a normal-dose (ND, 40-105 ml) contrast protocol. RESULTS Visually assessed image quality did not differ significantly among protocols. By contrast, attenuation obtained from the ULD protocol (median contrast volume 35 ml) differed significantly from the LD (median 45 ml) and ND (median 70 ml) protocols in the coronary segments (316 ± 52 vs 363 ± 60 and 359 ± 52 HU, p < 0.001). Attenuation did not differ significantly between the LD and ND protocol. The proportion of patients with inadequate coronary vessel attenuation was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the ULD protocol (37%) than in the ND (5%) and LD (10%) protocols but did not differ significantly between the ND and LD protocols. CONCLUSION In a clinical setting, a LD contrast protocol with a median volume of 45 ml is feasible for the latest generation 256-slice coronary CT angiography as it yields attenuation comparable to a ND protocol. By contrast, the implementation of an ULD protocol remains challenging. Advances in knowledge: Although not perceived by the naked eye, an ULD contrast protocol in a clinical setting yields attenuation below a threshold for diagnostic image quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik C Benz
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Gräni
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice Hirt Moch
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fran Mikulicic
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Vontobel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias A Fuchs
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julia Stehli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Olivier F Clerc
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Possner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aju P Pazhenkottil
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Gaemperli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ronny R Buechel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp A Kaufmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Ali A, Colledge J, Sri I, Missouris C. CT: the imaging of choice in the diagnosis of coronary artery fistulae. BJR Case Rep 2016; 2:20150492. [PMID: 30459993 PMCID: PMC6243370 DOI: 10.1259/bjrcr.20150492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Revised: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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Sandfort V, Ahlman MA, Jones EC, Selwaness M, Y Chen M, R Folio L, Bluemke DA. High pitch third generation dual-source CT: Coronary and cardiac visualization on routine chest CT. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2016; 10:282-8. [PMID: 27133589 PMCID: PMC4958576 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2016.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chest CT scans are frequently performed in radiology departments but have not previously contained detailed depiction of cardiac structures. OBJECTIVES To evaluate myocardial and coronary visualization on high-pitch non-gated CT of the chest using 3rd generation dual-source computed tomography (CT). METHODS Cardiac anatomy of patients who had 3rd generation, non-gated high pitch contrast enhanced chest CT and who also had prior conventional (low pitch) chest CT as part of a chest abdomen pelvis exam was evaluated. Cardiac image features were scored by reviewers blinded to diagnosis and pitch. Paired analysis was performed. RESULTS 3862 coronary segments and 2220 cardiac structures were evaluated by two readers in 222 CT scans. Most patients (97.2%) had chest CT for oncologic evaluation. The median pitch was 2.34 (IQR 2.05, 2.65) in high pitch and 0.8 (IQR 0.8, 0.8) in low pitch scans (p < 0.001). High pitch CT showed higher image visualization scores for all cardiovascular structures compared with conventional pitch scans (p < 0.0001). Coronary arteries were visualized in 9 coronary segments per exam in high pitch scans versus 2 segments for conventional pitch (p < 0.0001). Radiation exposure was lower in the high pitch group compared with the conventional pitch group (median CTDIvol 10.83 vs. 12.36 mGy and DLP 790 vs. 827 mGycm respectively, p < 0.01 for both) with comparable image noise (p = 0.43). CONCLUSION Myocardial structure and coronary arteries are frequently visualized on non-gated 3rd generation chest CT. These results raise the question of whether the heart and coronary arteries should be routinely interpreted on routine chest CT that is otherwise obtained for non-cardiac indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veit Sandfort
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark A Ahlman
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Jones
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mariana Selwaness
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marcus Y Chen
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Les R Folio
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David A Bluemke
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Achenbach S, Paul JF, Laurent F, Becker HC, Rengo M, Caudron J, Leschka S, Vignaux O, Knobloch G, Benea G, Schlosser T, Andreu J, Cabeza B, Jacquier A, Souto M, Revel D, Qanadli SD, Cademartiri F. Comparative assessment of image quality for coronary CT angiography with iobitridol and two contrast agents with higher iodine concentrations: iopromide and iomeprol. A multicentre randomized double-blind trial. Eur Radiol 2016; 27:821-830. [PMID: 27271922 PMCID: PMC5209424 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-016-4437-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To demonstrate non-inferiority of iobitridol 350 for coronary CT angiography (CTA) compared to higher iodine content contrast media regarding rate of patients evaluable for the presence of coronary artery stenoses. METHODS In this multicentre trial, 452 patients were randomized to receive iobitridol 350, iopromide 370 or iomeprol 400 and underwent coronary CTA using CT systems with 64-detector rows or more. Two core lab readers assessed 18 coronary segments per patient regarding image quality (score 0 = non diagnostic to 4 = excellent quality), vascular attenuation, signal and contrast to noise ratio (SNR, CNR). Patients were considered evaluable if no segment had a score of 0. RESULTS Per-patient, the rate of fully evaluable CT scans was 92.1, 95.4 and 94.6 % for iobitridol, iopromide and iomeprol, respectively. Non-inferiority of iobitridol over the best comparator was demonstrated with a 95 % CI of the difference of [-8.8 to 2.1], with a pre-specified non-inferiority margin of -10 %. Although average attenuation increased with higher iodine concentrations, average SNR and CNR did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS With current CT technology, iobitridol 350 mg iodine/ml is not inferior to contrast media with higher iodine concentrations in terms of image quality for coronary stenosis assessment. KEY POINTS • Iodine concentration is an important parameter for image quality in coronary CTA. • Contrast enhancement must be balanced against the amount of iodine injected. • Iobitridol 350 is non-inferior compared to CM with higher iodine concentrations. • Higher attenuation with higher iodine concentrations, but no SNR or CNR differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Achenbach
- Department of Cardiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Jean-François Paul
- Department of Radiology, Centre Chirurgical Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis Robinson, France
| | - François Laurent
- University of Bordeaux, Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux, U1045, F-33000, Bordeaux, France.,CHU de Bordeaux, Service d'Imagerie Thoracique et Cardiovasculaire, F-33600, Pessac, France
| | | | - Marco Rengo
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Sapienza - University of Rome, ICOT Hospital, Latina, Italy
| | - Jerome Caudron
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Sebastian Leschka
- Department of Radiology, Saint Gallen Hospital, Saint Gallen, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alexis Jacquier
- Department of Radiology, La Timone Adult Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Miguel Souto
- Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Didier Revel
- Department of Radiology, Louis Pradel Hospital, Lyon, France
| | | | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Monastier di Treviso, Italy
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Durmus T, Luhur R, Daqqaq T, Schwenke C, Knobloch G, Huppertz A, Hamm B, Lembcke A. Individual selection of X-ray tube settings in computed tomography coronary angiography: Reliability of an automated software algorithm to maintain constant image quality. Eur J Radiol 2016; 85:963-71. [PMID: 27130057 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate a software tool that claims to maintain a constant contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in high-pitch dual-source computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) by automatically selecting both X-ray tube voltage and current. METHODS A total of 302 patients (171 males; age 61±12years; body weight 82±17kg, body mass index 27.3±4.6kg/cm(2)) underwent CTCA with a topogram-based, automatic selection of both tube voltage and current using dedicated software with quality reference values of 100kV and 250mAs/rotation (i.e., standard values for an average adult weighing 75kg) and an injected iodine load of 222mg/kg. RESULTS The average radiation dose was estimated to be 1.02±0.64mSv. All data sets had adequate contrast enhancement. Average CNR in the aortic root, left ventricle, and left and right coronary artery was 15.7±4.5, 8.3±2.9, 16.1±4.3 and 15.3±3.9 respectively. Individual CNR values were independent of patients' body size and radiation dose. However, individual CNR values may vary considerably between subjects as reflected by interquartile ranges of 12.6-18.6, 6.2-9.9, 12.8-18.9 and 12.5-17.9 respectively. Moreover, average CNR values were significantly lower in males than females (15.1±4.1 vs. 16.6±11.7 and 7.9±2.7 vs. 8.9±3.0, 15.5±3.9 vs. 16.9±4.6 and 14.7±3.6 vs. 16.0±4.1 respectively). CONCLUSION A topogram-based automatic selection of X-ray tube settings in CTCA provides diagnostic image quality independent of patients' body size. Nevertheless, considerable variation of individual CNR values between patients and significant differences of CNR values between males and females occur which questions the reliability of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahir Durmus
- Department of Radiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Reny Luhur
- Department of Radiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tareef Daqqaq
- Department of Radiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Gesine Knobloch
- Department of Radiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Bernd Hamm
- Department of Radiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Lembcke
- Department of Radiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Feasibility of 320-row area detector CT coronary angiography using 40 mL of contrast material: assessment of image quality and diagnostic accuracy. Eur Radiol 2016; 26:3802-3810. [DOI: 10.1007/s00330-016-4275-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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15
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Verberne HJ, Acampa W, Anagnostopoulos C, Ballinger J, Bengel F, De Bondt P, Buechel RR, Cuocolo A, van Eck-Smit BLF, Flotats A, Hacker M, Hindorf C, Kaufmann PA, Lindner O, Ljungberg M, Lonsdale M, Manrique A, Minarik D, Scholte AJHA, Slart RHJA, Trägårdh E, de Wit TC, Hesse B. EANM procedural guidelines for radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging with SPECT and SPECT/CT: 2015 revision. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2015; 42:1929-40. [PMID: 26290421 PMCID: PMC4589547 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-015-3139-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Since the publication of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) procedural guidelines for radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in 2005, many small and some larger steps of progress have been made, improving MPI procedures. In this paper, the major changes from the updated 2015 procedural guidelines are highlighted, focusing on the important changes related to new instrumentation with improved image information and the possibility to reduce radiation exposure, which is further discussed in relation to the recent developments of new International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) models. Introduction of the selective coronary vasodilator regadenoson and the use of coronary CT-contrast agents for hybrid imaging with SPECT/CT angiography are other important areas for nuclear cardiology that were not included in the previous guidelines. A large number of minor changes have been described in more detail in the fully revised version available at the EANM home page: http://eanm.org/publications/guidelines/2015_07_EANM_FINAL_myocardial_perfusion_guideline.pdf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hein J Verberne
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, F2-238, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Wanda Acampa
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Council of Research, Naples, Italy
| | - Constantinos Anagnostopoulos
- Center for Experimental Surgery, Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Jim Ballinger
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Guy's Hospital - Guy's & St Thomas' Trust Foundation, London, UK
| | - Frank Bengel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Pieter De Bondt
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, OLV Hospital, Aalst, Belgium
| | - Ronny R Buechel
- Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alberto Cuocolo
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Berthe L F van Eck-Smit
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, F2-238, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Flotats
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcus Hacker
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cecilia Hindorf
- Department of Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Oliver Lindner
- Heart and Diabetes Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Institute for Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Michael Ljungberg
- Department of Medical Radiation Physics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Markus Lonsdale
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alain Manrique
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Service Commun Investigations chez l'Homme, GIP Cyceron, Caen University Hospital, Caen, France
| | - David Minarik
- Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Arthur J H A Scholte
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Riemer H J A Slart
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elin Trägårdh
- Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Skåne University Hospital and Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Tim C de Wit
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, F2-238, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Birger Hesse
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Evaluation of A New Bolus Tracking–Based Algorithm for Predicting A Patient-Specific Time of Arterial Peak Enhancement in Computed Tomography Angiography. Invest Radiol 2015; 50:531-8. [DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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17
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Evaluation of high-pitch dual-source CT angiography for evaluation of coronary and carotid-cerebrovascular arteries. Eur J Radiol 2015; 84:398-406. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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18
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Maurer MH, Hamm B, Huppertz A, Lembcke A. Ultra-low-dose dual-source CT coronary angiography with high pitch: diagnostic yield of a volumetric planning scan and effects on dose reduction and imaging strategy. Br J Radiol 2015; 88:20140602. [PMID: 25710210 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20140602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the role of an ultra-low-dose dual-source CT coronary angiography (CTCA) scan with high pitch for delimiting the range of the subsequent standard CTCA scan. METHODS 30 patients with an indication for CTCA were prospectively examined using a two-scan dual-source CTCA protocol (2.0 × 64.0 × 0.6 mm; pitch, 3.4; rotation time of 280 ms; 100 kV): Scan 1 was acquired with one-fifth of the tube current suggested by the automatic exposure control software [CareDose 4D™ (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany) using 100 kV and 370 mAs as a reference] with the scan length from the tracheal bifurcation to the diaphragmatic border. Scan 2 was acquired with standard tube current extending with reduced scan length based on Scan 1. Nine central coronary artery segments were analysed qualitatively on both scans. RESULTS Scan 2 (105.1 ± 10.1 mm) was significantly shorter than Scan 1 (127.0 ± 8.7 mm). Image quality scores were significantly better for Scan 2. However, in 5 of 6 (83%) patients with stenotic coronary artery disease, a stenosis was already detected in Scan 1 and in 13 of 24 (54%) patients with non-stenotic coronary arteries, a stenosis was already excluded by Scan 1. Using Scan 2 as reference, the positive- and negative-predictive value of Scan 1 was 83% (5 of 6 patients) and 100% (13 of 13 patients), respectively. CONCLUSION An ultra-low-dose CTCA planning scan enables a reliable scan length reduction of the following standard CTCA scan and allows for correct diagnosis in a substantial proportion of patients. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE Further dose reductions are possible owing to a change in the individual patient's imaging strategy as a prior ultra-low-dose CTCA scan may already rule out the presence of a stenosis or may lead to a direct transferal to an invasive catheter procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Maurer
- 1 Department of Radiology, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
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Quantitative Evaluation of the Performance of a New Test Bolus–Based Computed Tomographic Angiography Contrast-Enhancement–Prediction Algorithm. Invest Radiol 2015; 50:1-8. [DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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