1
|
Panetta D, Gabelloni M, Faggioni L, Pelosi G, Aringhieri G, Caramella D, Salvadori PA. Cardiac Computed Tomography Perfusion: Contrast Agents, Challenges and Emerging Methodologies from Preclinical Research to the Clinics. Acad Radiol 2021; 28:e1-e13. [PMID: 32220550 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2019.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Computed Tomography (CT) has long been regarded as a purely anatomical imaging modality. Recent advances on CT technology and Contrast Agents (CA) in both clinical and preclinical cardiac imaging offer opportunities for the use of CT in functional imaging. Combined with modern ECG-gating techniques, functional CT has now become a reality allowing a comprehensive evaluation of myocardial global and regional function, perfusion and coronary angiography. This article aims at reviewing the current status of cardiac CT perfusion and micro-CT perfusion with established and experimental scanners and contrast agents, from clinical practice to the experimental domain of investigations based on animal models of heart diseases.
Collapse
|
2
|
Seitun S, Clemente A, De Lorenzi C, Benenati S, Chiappino D, Mantini C, Sakellarios AI, Cademartiri F, Bezante GP, Porto I. Cardiac CT perfusion and FFR CTA: pathophysiological features in ischemic heart disease. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther 2020; 10:1954-1978. [PMID: 33381437 PMCID: PMC7758766 DOI: 10.21037/cdt-20-414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) has rapidly evolved, becoming a powerful integrated tool for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD), and being superior to other noninvasive methods due to its high accuracy and ability to simultaneously assess both lumen stenosis and atherosclerotic plaque burden. Furthermore, CCT is regarded as an effective gatekeeper for coronary angiography, and carries independent important prognostic information. In the last decade, the introduction of new functional CCT applications, namely CCT perfusion (CCTP) imaging and CT-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCTA), has opened the door for accurate assessment of the haemodynamic significance of stenoses. These new CCT technologies, thus, share the unique advantage of assessing both myocardial ischemia and patient-specific coronary artery anatomy, providing an integrated anatomical/functional analysis. In the present review, starting from the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia, we evaluate the existing evidence for functional CCT imaging and its value in relation to alternative, well-established, non-invasive imaging modalities and invasive indices of ischemia (currently the gold-standard). The knowledge of clinical applications, benefits, and limitations of these new CCT technologies will allow efficient and optimal use in clinical practice in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Seitun
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Clemente
- Department of Radiology, CNR (National Council of Research)/Tuscany Region ‘Gabriele Monasterio’ Foundation (FTGM), Massa, Italy
| | - Cecilia De Lorenzi
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Benenati
- Clinic of Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Hospital, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Dante Chiappino
- Department of Radiology, CNR (National Council of Research)/Tuscany Region ‘Gabriele Monasterio’ Foundation (FTGM), Massa, Italy
| | - Cesare Mantini
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, Institute of Radiology, “G. d’Annunzio” University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonis I. Sakellarios
- Unit of Medical Technology and Intelligent Information Systems, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Gian Paolo Bezante
- Clinic of Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Hospital, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Italo Porto
- Clinic of Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Hospital, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Schicchi N, Fogante M, Palumbo P, Agliata G, Esposto Pirani P, Di Cesare E, Giovagnoni A. The sub-millisievert era in CTCA: the technical basis of the new radiation dose approach. Radiol Med 2020; 125:1024-1039. [PMID: 32930945 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-020-01280-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) has become a cornerstone in the diagnostic process of the heart disease. Although the cardiac imaging with interventional procedures is responsible for approximately 40% of the cumulative effective dose in medical imaging, a relevant radiation dose reduction over the last decade was obtained, with the beginning of the sub-mSv era in CTCA. The main technical basis to obtain a radiation dose reduction in CTCA is the use of a low tube voltage, the adoption of a prospective electrocardiogram-triggering spiral protocol and the application of the tube current modulation with the iterative reconstruction technique. Nevertheless, CTCA examinations are characterized by a wide range of radiation doses between different radiology departments. Moreover, the dose exposure in CTCA is extremely important because the benefit-risk calculus in comparison with other modalities also depends on it. Finally, because anatomical evaluation not adequately predicts the hemodynamic relevance of coronary stenosis, a low radiation dose in routine CTCA would allow the greatest use of the myocardial CT perfusion, fractional flow reserve-CT, dual-energy CT and artificial intelligence, to shift focus from morphological assessment to a comprehensive morphological and functional evaluation of the stenosis. Therefore, the aim of this work is to summarize the correct use of the technical basis in order that CTCA becomes an established examination for assessment of the coronary artery disease with low radiation dose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Schicchi
- Radiology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria "Ospedali Riuniti", 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marco Fogante
- Radiology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria "Ospedali Riuniti", 60126, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Pierpaolo Palumbo
- Radiology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria "San Salvatore", 60126, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giacomo Agliata
- Radiology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria "Ospedali Riuniti", 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Paolo Esposto Pirani
- Radiology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria "Ospedali Riuniti", 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Ernesto Di Cesare
- Radiology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria "San Salvatore", 60126, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Giovagnoni
- Radiology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria "Ospedali Riuniti", 60126, Ancona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
|
5
|
Hedgire SS, Baliyan V, Ghoshhajra BB, Kalra MK. Recent advances in cardiac computed tomography dose reduction strategies: a review of scientific evidence and technical developments. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 2017; 4:031211. [PMID: 28894760 DOI: 10.1117/1.jmi.4.3.031211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac imagers worldwide are bracing for increased utilization of cardiac computed tomography (CT) in clinical practice. This expanding opportunity brings along a responsibility to produce diagnostic quality images with optimized radiation dose. The following review aims to address the dose reduction strategies in cardiac CT in light of recent scientific evidence and technical developments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep S Hedgire
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Imaging, Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Vinit Baliyan
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Imaging, Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Brian B Ghoshhajra
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Imaging, Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Mannudeep K Kalra
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Imaging, Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cademartiri F, Seitun S, Clemente A, La Grutta L, Toia P, Runza G, Midiri M, Maffei E. Myocardial blood flow quantification for evaluation of coronary artery disease by computed tomography. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther 2017; 7:129-150. [PMID: 28540209 DOI: 10.21037/cdt.2017.03.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
During the last decade coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) has become the preeminent non-invasive imaging modality to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) with high accuracy. However, CTA has a limited value in assessing the hemodynamic significance of a given stenosis due to a modest specificity and positive predictive value. In recent years, different CT techniques for detecting myocardial ischemia have emerged, such as CT-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR-CT), transluminal attenuation gradient (TAG), and myocardial CT perfusion (CTP) imaging. Myocardial CTP imaging can be performed with a single static scan during first pass of the contrast agent, with monoenergetic or dual-energy acquisition, or as a dynamic, time-resolved scan during stress by using coronary vasodilator agents (adenosine, dipyridamole, or regadenoson). A number of CTP techniques are available, which can assess myocardial perfusion in both a qualitative, semi-quantitative or quantitative manner. Once used primarily as research tools, these modalities are increasingly being used in routine clinical practice. All these techniques offer the substantial advantage of combining anatomical and functional evaluation of flow-limiting coronary stenosis in the same examination that would be beneficial for clinical decision-making. This review focuses on the state-of the-art and future trends of these evolving imaging modalities in the field of cardiology for the physiologic assessments of CAD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Center University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Seitun
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Clemente
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa and Massa, Italy
| | | | - Patrizia Toia
- Department of Radiology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Runza
- Department of Radiology, P.O. Umberto I, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale 8, Siracusa, Italy
| | - Massimo Midiri
- Department of Radiology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Erica Maffei
- Department of Radiology, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|