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Bechtiger FA, Grossmann M, Bakula A, Patriki D, von Felten E, Fuchs TA, Gebhard C, Pazhenkottil AP, Kaufmann PA, Buechel RR. Risk stratification using coronary artery calcium scoring based on low tube voltage computed tomography. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2022; 38:2227-2234. [PMID: 37726457 PMCID: PMC10509109 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-022-02615-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
To determine if coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring using computed tomography at 80 kilovolt-peak (kVp) and 70-kVp and tube voltage-adapted scoring-thresholds allow for accurate risk stratification as compared to the standard 120-kVp protocol. We prospectively included 170 patients who underwent standard CAC scanning at 120-kVp and 200 milliamperes and additional scans with 80-kVp and 70-kVp tube voltage with adapted tube current to normalize image noise across scans. Novel kVp-adapted thresholds were applied to calculate CAC scores from the low-kVp scans and were compared to those from standard 120-kVp scans by assessing risk reclassification rates and agreement using Kendall's rank correlation coefficients (Τb) for risk categories bounded by 0, 1, 100, and 400. Interreader reclassification rates for the 120-kVp scans were assessed. Agreement for risk classification obtained from 80-kVp and 70-kVp scans as compared to 120-kVp was good (Τb = 0.967 and 0.915, respectively; both p < 0.001) with reclassification rates of 7.1% and 17.2%, respectively, mostly towards a lower risk category. By comparison, the interreader reclassification rate was 4.1% (Τb = 0.980, p < 0.001). Reclassification rates were dependent on body mass index (BMI) with 7.1% and 13.6% reclassifications for the 80-kVp and 70-kVp scans, respectively, in patients with a BMI < 30 kg/m2 (n = 140), and 2.9% and 7.4%, respectively, in patients with a BMI < 25 kg/m2 (n = 68). Mean effective radiation dose from the 120-kVp, the 80-kVp, and 70-kVp scans was 0.54 ± 0.03, 0.42 ± 0.02, and 0.26 ± 0.02 millisieverts. CAC scoring with reduced tube voltage allows for accurate risk stratification if kVp-adapted thresholds for calculation of CAC scores are applied.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03637231.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola A Bechtiger
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marvin Grossmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adam Bakula
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dimitri Patriki
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elia von Felten
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias A Fuchs
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Gebhard
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aju P Pazhenkottil
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp A Kaufmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ronny R Buechel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Hu X, Tao X, Zhang Y, Niu Z, Zhang Y, Allmendinger T, Kuang Y, Chen B. Accurate Measurement of Agatston Score Using kVp-Independent Reconstruction Algorithm for Ultra-High-Pitch Sn150 kVp CT. Korean J Radiol 2021; 22:1777-1785. [PMID: 34431246 PMCID: PMC8546135 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2021.0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the accuracy of the Agatston score obtained with the ultra-high-pitch (UHP) acquisition mode using tin-filter spectral shaping (Sn150 kVp) and a kVp-independent reconstruction algorithm to reduce the radiation dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study included 114 patients (mean ± standard deviation, 60.3 ± 9.8 years; 74 male) who underwent a standard 120 kVp scan and an additional UHP Sn150 kVp scan for coronary artery calcification scoring (CACS). These two datasets were reconstructed using a standard reconstruction algorithm (120 kVp + Qr36d, protocol A; Sn150 kVp + Qr36d, protocol B). In addition, the Sn150 kVp dataset was reconstructed using a kVp-independent reconstruction algorithm (Sn150 kVp + Sa36d, protocol C). The Agatston scores for protocols A and B, as well as protocols A and C, were compared. The agreement between the scores was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland-Altman plot. The radiation doses for the 120 kVp and UHP Sn150 kVp acquisition modes were also compared. RESULTS No significant difference was observed in the Agatston score for protocols A (median, 63.05; interquartile range [IQR], 0-232.28) and C (median, 60.25; IQR, 0-195.20) (p = 0.060). The mean difference in the Agatston score for protocols A and C was relatively small (-7.82) and with the limits of agreement from -65.20 to 49.56 (ICC = 0.997). The Agatston score for protocol B (median, 34.85; IQR, 0-120.73) was significantly underestimated compared with that for protocol A (p < 0.001). The UHP Sn150 kVp mode facilitated an effective radiation dose reduction by approximately 30% (0.58 vs. 0.82 mSv, p < 0.001) from that associated with the standard 120 kVp mode. CONCLUSION The Agatston scores for CACS with the UHP Sn150 kVp mode with a kVp-independent reconstruction algorithm and the standard 120 kVp demonstrated excellent agreement with a small mean difference and narrow agreement limits. The UHP Sn150 kVp mode allowed a significant reduction in the radiation dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Hu
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinwei Tao
- Siemens Healthineers China, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueqiao Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhongfeng Niu
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Thomas Allmendinger
- Computed Tomography-Research & Development, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yu Kuang
- Medical Physics Program, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Booij R, van der Werf NR, Budde RPJ, Bos D, van Straten M. Dose reduction for CT coronary calcium scoring with a calcium-aware image reconstruction technique: a phantom study. Eur Radiol 2020; 30:3346-3355. [PMID: 32072259 PMCID: PMC7248036 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-020-06709-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Objective To assess the dose reduction potential of a calcium-aware reconstruction technique, which aims at tube voltage-independent computed tomography (CT) numbers for calcium. Methods and materials A cardiothoracic phantom, mimicking three different patient sizes, was scanned with two calcium inserts (named D100 and CCI), containing calcifications varying in size and density. Tube voltage was varied both manually (range 70–150 and Sn100 kVp) and automatically. Tube current was automatically adapted to maintain reference image quality defined at 120 kVp. Data was reconstructed with the standard reconstruction technique (kernel Qr36) and the calcium-aware reconstruction technique (kernel Sa36). We assessed the radiation dose reduction potential (volumetric CT dose index values (CTDIvol)), noise (standard deviation (SD)), mean CT number (HU) of each calcification, and Agatston scores for varying kVp. Results were compared with the reference acquired at 120 kVp and reconstructed with Qr36. Results Automatic selection of the optimal tube voltage resulted in a CTDIvol reduction of 22%, 15%, and 12% compared with the reference for the small, medium, and large phantom, respectively. CT numbers differed up to 64% for the standard reconstruction and 11% for the calcium-aware reconstruction. Similarly, Agatston scores deviated up to 40% and 8% for the standard and calcium-aware reconstruction technique, respectively. Conclusion CT numbers remained consistent with comparable calcium scores when the calcium-aware image reconstruction technique was applied with varying tube voltage. Less consistency was observed in small calcifications with low density. Automatic reduction of tube voltage resulted in a dose reduction of up to 22%. Key Points • The calcium-aware image reconstruction technique allows for consistent CT numbers when varying the tube voltage. • Automatic reduction of tube voltage results in a reduced radiation exposure of up to 22%. • This study stresses the known limitations of the current Agatston score technique. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00330-020-06709-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Booij
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2240, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Niels R van der Werf
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2240, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ricardo P J Budde
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2240, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Bos
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2240, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel van Straten
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2240, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Aengevaeren VL, Eijsvogels TMH. Coronary atherosclerosis in middle-aged athletes: Current insights, burning questions, and future perspectives. Clin Cardiol 2020; 43:863-871. [PMID: 32031291 PMCID: PMC7403658 DOI: 10.1002/clc.23340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Regular exercise training is considered healthy as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Nevertheless, athletes are not immune to the development of cardiovascular diseases and recent studies reported a higher prevalence of coronary artery calcifications and atherosclerotic plaques in athletes compared to less active controls. These observations have raised many questions among sport scientists, sports cardiologists, amateur athletes, and the general population. For example, Are athletes (not) immune for coronary atherosclerosis? How to assess coronary atherosclerosis in athletes? What about chalk (calcified plaque) and cheese (mixed plaque)? Does exercise intensity play a role? Are there sport‐related differences? Are there sex differences? Can sports medical evaluation detect coronary atherosclerosis? Do athletes get worried? Should athletes get worried? How should athletes with coronary atherosclerosis be managed? The goal of this review is to discuss the latest scientific insights and to answer these important questions. Furthermore, we will explore potential clinical implications and point out directions for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent L Aengevaeren
- Department of Physiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Cardiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Thijs M H Eijsvogels
- Department of Physiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Coronary artery calcium: A technical argument for a new scoring method. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2019; 13:347-352. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2018.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Gräni C, Vontobel J, Benz DC, Bacanovic S, Giannopoulos AA, Messerli M, Grossmann M, Gebhard C, Pazhenkottil AP, Gaemperli O, Kaufmann PA, Buechel RR. Ultra-low-dose coronary artery calcium scoring using novel scoring thresholds for low tube voltage protocols-a pilot study. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2019; 19:1362-1371. [PMID: 29432592 DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jey019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims To determine if tube-adapted thresholds for coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring by computed tomography at 80 kilovolt-peak (kVp) tube voltage and 70-kVp yield comparable results to the standard 120-kVp protocol. Methods and results We prospectively included 103 patients who underwent standard scanning with 120-kVp tube voltage and additional scans with 80 kVp and 70 kVp. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.9 ± 5.1 kg/m2. For the lowered tube voltages, we applied novel kVp-adapted thresholds for calculation of CAC scores and compared them with standard 120-kVp scans using intraclass correlation and Bland-Altman (BA) analysis. Furthermore, risk-class (CAC score 0/1-10/11-100/101-400/>400) changes were assessed. Median CAC score from 120-kVp scans was 212 (interquartile range 25-901). Thirteen (12.6%) patients had zero CAC. Using the novel kVp-adapted thresholds, CAC scores derived from 80-kVp scans showed excellent correlation (r = 0.994, P < 0.001) with standard 120-kVp scans with BA limits of agreement of -235 (-39.5%) to 172 (28.9%). Similarly, for 70-kVp scans, correlation was excellent (r = 0.972, P < 0.001) but with broader limits of agreement of -476 (-85.0%) to 270 (48.2%). Only 2 (2.8%) reclassifications were observed for the 80-kVp scans in patients with a BMI <30 kg/m2 (n = 71), and 2 (6.1%) for the 70-kVp scans in patients with a BMI <25 kg/m2 (n = 33). Mean effective radiation dose was 0.60 ± 0.07 millisieverts (mSv), 0.19 ± 0.02 mSv, and 0.12 ± 0.01 mSv for the 120-kVp, 80-kVp, and 70-kVp scans, respectively. Conclusion The present study suggests that CAC scoring with reduced peak tube voltage is accurate if kVp-adapted thresholds for calculation of CAC scores are applied while offering a substantial further radiation dose reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Gräni
- Cardiac Imaging, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Vontobel
- Cardiac Imaging, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominik C Benz
- Cardiac Imaging, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sara Bacanovic
- Cardiac Imaging, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas A Giannopoulos
- Cardiac Imaging, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Messerli
- Cardiac Imaging, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marvin Grossmann
- Cardiac Imaging, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cathérine Gebhard
- Cardiac Imaging, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aju P Pazhenkottil
- Cardiac Imaging, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Gaemperli
- Cardiac Imaging, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp A Kaufmann
- Cardiac Imaging, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ronny R Buechel
- Cardiac Imaging, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland
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Sulaiman N, Soon J, Park JK, Naoum C, Kueh SH, Blanke P, Murphy D, Ellis J, Hague CJ, Leipsic J. Comparison of low-dose coronary artery calcium scoring using low tube current technique and hybrid iterative reconstruction vs. filtered back projection. Clin Imaging 2017; 43:19-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2017.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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