Variability of Repeated Coronary Artery Calcium Measurements on Low-Dose ECG-Gated 16-MDCT

Assessing Agreement When Agreement Is Hard to Assess-The Agatston Score for Coronary Calcification

Method comparison studies comprised simple scatterplots of paired measurements, a 45-degree line as benchmark, and correlation coefficients up to the advent of Bland-Altman analysis in the 1980s. The Agatston score for coronary calcification is based on computed tomography of the heart, and it originated in 1990. A peculiarity of the Agatston score is the often-observed skewed distribution in screening populations. As the Agatston score has manifested itself in preventive cardiology, it is of interest to investigate how reproducibility of the Agatston score has been established. This review is based on literature findings indexed in MEDLINE/PubMed before 20 November 2021. Out of 503 identified articles, 49 papers were included in this review. Sample sizes were highly variable (10-9761), the main focus comprised intra- and interrater as well as intra- and interscanner variability assessments. Simple analysis tools such as scatterplots and correlation coefficients were successively supplemented by first difference, later Bland-Altman plots; however, only very few publications were capable of deriving Limits of Agreement that fit the observed data visually in a convincing way. Moreover, several attempts have been made in the recent past to improve the analysis and reporting of method comparison studies. These warrant increased attention in the future.

Radiation Dose Reduction at Low Tube Voltage CCTA Based on the CNR Index

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

We compared the radiation dose and diagnostic accuracy on 120- and 100-kVp coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scans whose contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was the same.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 1311 coronary artery segments from 100 patients. For 120-kVp scans, the targeted image level was set at 25 Hounsfield units (HU). For 100-kVp scans, the targeted noise level was set at 30 HU to obtain the same CNR as at 120 kVp. We compared the CNR and the radiation dose on scans acquired at 120 and 100 kVp. Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) images were evaluated by an interventional coronary angiography specialist, and CCTA images were evaluated by a radiologist. Coronary artery disease was defined as a luminal narrowing ≧50% for ICA and CCTA. With ICA considered the gold standard, the diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value) was analyzed on both 120- and 100-kVp CCTA images. We also compared the diagnostic accuracy for area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the ICA and CCTA performed at 120 and 100 kVp. Two blinded observers visually evaluated the septal branch.

RESULTS

The mean dose-length product was 48% lower at 100 kVp than at 120 kVp (P < .01). Under the 120-kVp CCTA protocol, the area under the curve, 95% confidence interval, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 0.94%, 0.91%-0.96%, 94.0%, 93.0%, 82.3%, and 98.1%, respectively; at 100 kVp these values were 0.94%, 0.92%-0.97%, 96.1%, 92.0%, 85.2%, and 98.0%, respectively. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between the two protocols (P = .87).

CONCLUSIONS

At the same CNR, the 100-kVp CCTA protocol may help to reduce the radiation dose by approximately 50% compared to the 120-kVp protocol without degradation of diagnostic accuracy.

Influence of image reconstruction parameters on cardiovascular risk reclassification by Computed Tomography Coronary Artery Calcium Score

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of different CT reconstruction parameters on coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) values and reclassification of predicted cardiovascular (CV) risk.

METHODS

CACS was evaluated in 113 patients undergoing ECG-gated 64-slice CT. Reference CACS protocol included standard kernel filter (B35f) with slice thickness/increment of 3/1.5 mm, and field-of-view (FOV) of 150-180 mm. Influence of different image reconstruction algorithms (reconstructed slice thickness/increment 2.0/1.0-1.5/0.8-3.0/2.0-3.0/3.0 mm; slice kernel B30f-B45f; FOV 200-250 mm) on Agatston score was assessed by Bland-Altman plots and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) analysis. Classification of CV risk was based on the Mayo Clinic classification.

RESULTS

Different CACS reconstruction parameters showed overall good accuracy and precision when compared with reference protocol. Protocols with larger FOV, thinner slices and sharper kernels were associated with significant CV risk reclassification. Use of kernel B45f showed a moderate positive correlation with reference CACS protocol (Agatston CCC = 0.67), and yielded significantly higher CACS values (p < .05). Reconstruction parameters using B30f or B45f kernels, 250 mm FOV, or slice thickness/increment of 2.0/1.0 mm or 1.5/0.8 mm, were associated with significant reclassification of CV risk (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Kernel, FOV, slice thickness and increment are major determinants of accuracy and precision of CACS measurement. Despite high agreement and overall good correlation of different reconstruction protocols, thinner slices thickness and increment, and sharper kernels were associated with significant upward reclassification of CV risk. Larger FOV determined both upward and downward reclassification of CV risk.

The Influence of Iterative Reconstruction on Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring-Phantom and Clinical Studies

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

We compared the effect of iterative model reconstruction (IMR), filtered back projection (FBP), and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) on coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CAC scans of 30 consecutive patients (18 men and 12 women, age 70.1 ± 12.2 years) were reconstructed with FBP, HIR, and IMR, and the image noise was measured on all images. Two radiologists independently measured the CAC scores using semiautomated software, and interobserver agreement was evaluated. Statistical analysis included the Spearman correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis.

RESULTS

The mean image noise on FBP, HIR, and IMR images was 48.0 ± 7.9, 29.6 ± 4.8, and 9.3 ± 1.3 Hounsfield units, respectively. The difference among all reconstruction combinations was significant (P < .01). The CAC score on HIR and IMR scans was 4.2% and 8.9% lower, respectively, than the CAC score on FBP images. There was no significant difference in the mean CAC score among the three reconstructions. The interobserver correlation was excellent for all three reconstructions (r² = 0.96 FBP, 0.99 HIR, 0.99 IMR); the best Bland-Altman measure of agreement was with IMR, followed by HIR and FBP.

CONCLUSION

For CAC scoring, IMR can reduce the image noise and blooming artifacts, and consequently lowers the measured CAC score. IMR can lessen measurement variability and yield stable, reproducible measurements.

Radiation dose reduction at coronary artery calcium scoring by using a low tube current technique and hybrid iterative reconstruction

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) on cardiac computed tomographic images using hybrid iterative reconstruction (hIR) and a low tube current as well as on images acquired with a filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm and a normal tube current.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Patients (N = 77) with suspected coronary artery disease were subjected to 2 CACS evaluations based on their Agatston, volume, and mass scores. One CACS evaluation was performed on images obtained with a 364-mA tube current and reconstructed with FBP; the other was performed on images obtained with a 73-mA tube current and reconstructed with hIR at iDose4. All scans were performed with the prospective electrocardiogram-triggered method using a 256-slice computed tomographic scanner (Brilliance iCT; Philips). We assessed agreement between calcium scores obtained with FBP and with IR using the percentage difference and Bland-Altman analysis.

RESULTS

The effective radiation doses for CACS at 80 mA s with FBP and at 16 mA s with IR were 1.20 and 0.24 mSv, respectively (k = 0.014). The mean Agatston, volume, and mass scores at 80 mA s with FBP as well as at 16 mA s with IR were 390.7, 146.5, and 63.2 as well as 377.7, 142.5, and 62.2, respectively. The percentage difference between FBP and hIR for the Agatston, volume, and mass score was 20.7%, 20.7%, and 27.1%, respectively. Bland-Altman analysis showed that there was no systemic bias.

CONCLUSIONS

The radiation dose for CACS can be reduced at a low tube current and hIR without affecting the calcium score.

Coronary artery calcification scoring in low-dose ungated CT screening for lung cancer: interscan agreement

OBJECTIVE

In previous studies detection of coronary artery calcification (CAC) with low-dose ungated MDCT performed for lung cancer screening has been compared with detection with cardiac CT. We evaluated the interscan agreement of CAC scores from two consecutive low-dose ungated MDCT examinations.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The subjects were 584 participants in the screening segment of a lung cancer screening trial who underwent two low-dose ungated MDCT examinations within 4 months (mean, 3.1 +/- 0.6 months) of a baseline CT examination. Agatston score, volume score, and calcium mass score were measured by two observers. Interscan agreement of stratification of participants into four Agatston score risk categories (0, 1-100, 101-400, > 400) was assessed with kappa values. Interscan variability and 95% repeatability limits were calculated for all three calcium measures and compared by repeated measures analysis of variance.

RESULTS

An Agatston score > 0 was detected in 443 baseline CT examinations (75.8%). Interscan agreement of the four risk categories was good (kappa = 0.67). The Agatston scores were in the same risk category in both examinations in 440 cases (75.3%); 578 participants (99.0%) had scores differing a maximum of one category. Furthermore, mean interscan variability ranged from 61% for calcium volume score to 71% for Agatston score (p < 0.01). A limitation of this study was that no comparison of CAC scores between low-dose ungated CT and the reference standard ECG-gated CT was performed.

CONCLUSION

Cardiovascular disease risk stratification with low-dose ungated MDCT is feasible and has good interscan agreement of stratification of participants into Agatston score risk categories. High mean interscan variability precludes the use of this technique for monitoring CAC scores for individual patients.

Measuring progression of coronary atherosclerosis with computed tomography: searching for clarity among shades of gray

Computed tomography (CT) allows visualization of both calcified and noncalcified atherosclerotic plaque in the entire coronary tree. When assessing an individual patient's risk of cardiac events, direct visualization of coronary plaque has substantial advantages over assessment of surrogate markers or risk factors. Ideally, practitioners would be able to follow progression or regression of coronary disease via quantitative measurements of plaque volume and composition in individual patients. Once this is possible, CT could be used to: (1) make more informed decisions about whether and how aggressively to treat patients at risk for coronary artery disease, and (2) to follow the effects of treatment in patients with known coronary artery disease. At this point in time, coronary calcium scoring is more reproducible than CT angiography for quantifying plaque and also has a much larger body of evidence supporting its ability to predict cardiac events. In this paper we will review the current techniques for quantifying calcified and noncalcified coronary atherosclerosis with cardiac CT, the strengths and limitations of each approach and the data supporting the ability to quantify and follow progression or regression of plaque.

Evaluation of attenuation-based tube current control in coronary artery calcium scoring on prospective ECG-triggered 64-detector CT

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to investigate image noise (standard deviation of computed tomographic value) and to assess variability in repeated coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring on prospective electrocardiographically triggered 64-detctor computed tomography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients (n = 428) suspected of having coronary artery disease were scanned twice using three protocols: with tube current modified by body mass index (BMI; group A), by BMI and body height (group B), and by attenuation at the maximal heart diameter (group C). Image noise was plotted against BMI. Interscan variability of CAC scores was determined. The effective dose was estimated by computed tomographic dose index.

RESULTS

The mean effective dose and image noise, respectively, were 0.9 +/- 0.2 mSv (range, 0.6-1.5 mSv) and 19 +/- 4 Hounsfield units (HU) (range, 10-32 HU) for group A; 0.8 +/- 0.2 mSv (range, 0.5-1.4 mSv) and 18 +/- 4 HU (range, 10-31 HU) for group B; and 0.8 +/- 0.4 mSv (range, 0.3-2.2 mSv) and 20 +/- 2 HU (range, 16-26 HU) for group C. Group C used a wide dose range and controlled noise within a small range. The positive slopes of image noise versus BMI, 0.81 HU/(kg/m(2)) in group A and 0.62 HU/(kg/m(2)) in group B, suggested insufficient control of the tube current. In contrast, the nearly flat slope in group C, 0.091 HU/(kg/m(2)), indicated optimal control. The interscan variability for Agatston score, volume, and mass in patients with CAC (n = 300) was 13% (median, 8%), 12% (median, 7%), and 11% (median, 6%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CAC scoring on prospective electrocardiographically triggered 64-detector computed tomography using attenuation-based tube current control has the potential to favorably control image noise with low dose and low interscan variability.

Correlation of calcium measurement with low dose 64-slice CT and angiographic stenosis in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

Coronary artery calcium is a sensitive marker of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study was to determine the relationship between coronary calcium score (CCS) and angiographic stenosis on a patient-based or vessel-based analysis. 91 consecutive patients underwent both low dose 64-slice CT calcium scoring scan and conventional angiography of the heart. The total CCS of abnormal coronary angiogram (n=45) was 297.38+/-416.93, whereas that of normal coronary angiogram (n=46) was 5.37+/-9.35 (P<0.001). The CCS and degree of stenosis were moderately correlated on patient-based or vessel-based analysis (r=0.517, 0.521, respectively; both P<0.001). In conclusion, CCS could reflect the degree of vessel stenosis to some extent, but CCS of zero could not rule out CAD.

Feature-based characterization of motion-contaminated calcified plaques in cardiac multidetector CT

In coronary calcium scoring, motion artifacts affecting calcified plaques are commonly characterized using descriptive terms, which incorporate an element of subjectivity in their interpretations. Quantitative indices may improve the objective characterization of these motion artifacts. In this paper, an automated method for generating 12 quantitative indices, i.e., features that characterize the motion artifacts affecting calcified plaques, is presented. This method consists of using the rapid phase-correlated region-of-interest (ROI) tracking algorithm for reconstructing ROI images of calcified plaques automatically from the projection data obtained during a cardiac scan, and applying methods for extracting features from these images. The 12 features include two dynamic, six morphological, and four intensity-based features. The two dynamic features are three-dimensional (3D) velocity and 3D acceleration. The six morphological features include edge-based volume, threshold-based volume, sphericity, irregularity, average margin gradient, and variance of margin gradient. The four intensity-based features are maximum intensity, mean intensity, minimum intensity, and standard deviation of intensity. The 12 features were extracted from 54 reconstructed sets of simulated four-dimensional images from the dynamic NCAT phantom involving six calcified plaques under nine heart rate/multi-sector gating combinations. In order to determine how well the 12 features correlated with a plaque motion index, which was derived from the trajectory of the plaque, partial correlation coefficients adjusted for heart rate, number of gated sectors, and mean feature values of the six plaques were calculated for all 12 features. Features exhibiting stronger correlations ([r] epsilon [0.60,1.00]) with the motion index were 3D velocity, maximum intensity, and standard deviation of intensity. Features demonstrating stronger correlations ([r] epsilon [0.60, 1.00]) with other features mostly involved intensity-based features. Edge-based volume/irregularity and average margin gradient/variance of margin gradient were the only two feature pairs out of 12 with stronger correlations that did not involve intensity-based features. Automatically extracted features of the motion artifacts affecting calcified plaques in cardiac computed tomography images potentially can be used to develop models for predicting image assessability with respect to motion artifacts.

Computerized assessment of motion-contaminated calcified plaques in cardiac multidetector CT

An automated method for evaluating the image quality of calcified plaques with respect to motion artifacts in noncontrast-enhanced cardiac computed tomography (CT) images is introduced. This method involves using linear regression (LR) and artificial neural network (ANN) regression models for predicting two patient-specific, region-of-interest-specific, reconstruction-specific and temporal phase-specific image quality indices. The first is a plaque motion index, which is derived from the actual trajectory of the calcified plaque and is represented on a continuous scale. The second is an assessability index, which reflects the degree to which a calcified plaque is affected by motion artifacts, and is represented on an ordinal five-point scale. Two sets of assessability indices were provided independently by two radiologists experienced in evaluating cardiac CT images. Inputs for the regression models were selected from 12 features characterizing the dynamic, morphological, and intensity-based properties of the calcified plaques. Whereas LR-velocity (LR-V) used only a single feature (three-dimensional velocity), the LR-multiple (LR-M) and ANN regression models used the same subset of these 12 features selected through stepwise regression. The regression models were parameterized and evaluated using a database of simulated calcified plaque images from the dynamic NCAT phantom involving nine heart rate/multi-sector gating combinations and 40 cardiac phases covering two cardiac cycles. Six calcified plaques were used for the plaque motion indices and three calcified plaques were used for both sets of assessability indices. In one configuration, images from the second cardiac cycle were used for feature selection and regression model parameterization, whereas images from the first cardiac cycle were used for testing. With this configuration, repeated measures concordance correlation coefficients (CCCs) and associated 95% confidence intervals for the LR-V, LR-M, and ANN were 0.817 [0.785, 0.848], 0.894 [0.869, 0.916], and 0.917 [0.892, 0.936] for the plaque motion indices. For the two sets of assess-ability indices, CCC values for the ANN model were 0.843 [0.791, 0.877] and 0.793 [0.747, 0.828]. These two CCC values were statistically greater than the CCC value of 0.689 [0.648, 0.727], which was obtained by comparing the two sets of assessability indices with each other. These preliminary results suggest that the variabilities of assessability indices provided by regression models can lie within the variabilities of the indices assigned by independent observers. Thus, the potential exists for using regression models and assessability indices for determining optimal phases for cardiac CT image interpretation.

Coronary artery calcium screening: current status and recommendations from the European Society of Cardiac Radiology and North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging

Current guidelines and literature on screening for coronary artery calcium for cardiac risk assessment are reviewed for both general and special populations. It is shown that for both general and special populations a zero score excludes most clinically relevant coronary artery disease. The importance of standardization of coronary artery calcium measurements by multi-detector CT is discussed.

Coronary calcium score from multislice computed tomography correlates with QT dispersion and left ventricular wall thickness

Coronary calcium score is a marker of coronary atherosclerosis and is an important factor of cardiac events. Ventricular hypertrophy and QT dispersion increase the risk of cardiac events. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether coronary calcium score may be related to the changes of QT, QT dispersion, heart chamber size, and wall thickness. The coronary calcium score was studied in 97 patients through multislice computed tomography (MSCT). There were 32 patients with high calcium score (> or =200), 29 patients with low calcium score (1-199), and 36 patients with zero calcium score. The gender, age, incidence of hypertension, diabetics, smoking, and dyslipidemia were similar among the three groups. The QT dispersion, QTc dispersion, and R-wave amplitude in the high calcium score group were larger than those in the other two groups. There were similar P-wave duration. QRS duration, and PR interval among the three groups. The left ventricular anterior-posterior diameter and left ventricular wall thickness in the high coronary calcium score group were larger than those in the other two groups. Coronary calcium score had strong correlations with QT dispersion and left ventricular wall thickness. These findings may contribute further evidence regarding the increased risk of cardiac events in those patients with high coronary calcium score.

Coronary arterial calcification on low-dose ungated MDCT for lung cancer screening: concordance study with dedicated cardiac CT

OBJECTIVE

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is frequently detected on low-dose ungated MDCT performed for lung cancer screening. We aimed to determine the concordance of CAC scores on low-dose ungated and regular-dose ECG-gated MDCT.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The subjects were 513 patients consecutively registered for health screening and undergoing both low-dose ungated (120 kVp, 20 mAs) and regular-dose ECG-gated MDCT (120 kVp, 150 mAs, retrospective ECG gating). The first 30 cases were used for protocol optimization and a training session. Agatston score on regular-dose ECG-gated and low-dose ungated MDCT in the other 483 cases (320 men; mean age, 62.2 +/- 13.2 [SD] years) was calculated by two observers in a blinded manner. Interobserver and intertechnique scoring variability and concordance were calculated.

RESULTS

The mean of interobserver scoring variability for regular-dose ECG-gated MDCT was 3.6% and for low-dose ungated MDCT was 9.6%. Regular-dose ECG-gated MDCT depicted CAC in 221 (46%) of the subjects. With low-dose ungated MDCT, observers 1 and 2, respectively, had five and seven false-positive and five and four false-negative predictions. All the miscategorized scores were 12 or less. The negative predictive values of CAC on low-dose ungated MDCT were 98% and 99% for observers 1 and 2, respectively. For patients with CAC, the mean intertechnique scoring variability was 40-43%. For all 483 subjects, the intertechnique concordance of the four major score ranks (0, 1-100, 101-400, > 400) was high (kappa = 0.89 for the two observers).

CONCLUSION

Low-dose ungated MDCT with an optimized protocol is reliable for prediction of the presence of CAC and categorization of the four major Agatston score ranks. This technique may be useful for coronary artery disease risk stratification of persons undergoing low-dose ungated MDCT for lung cancer screening.

The interscan variation of CT coronary artery calcification score: analysis of the Calcium Acetate Renagel Comparison (CARE)-2 study

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

In the Calcium Acetate Renagel Evaluation (CARE)-2 study, the effects of calcium acetate plus atorvastatin (Lipitor) on the progression of coronary artery calcifications (CACs) are evaluated versus those of Renagel, monitored using dual electron beam tomography (EBT) scans (two scans at study initiation and two at follow up). The aim of this study is to estimate the interscan variation for the Agatston score and for the volume score determined in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the CARE-2 study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CAC score and volume were measured at study initiation in 463 ESRD subjects (mean age: 59.4 +/- 12.5 years, 48.3% female). All patients underwent dual scanning using an EBT, as first scan of two needed to measure the progression of CAC when treated with sevelamer (Renagel) compared with calcium acetate with or without atorvastatin. All scans in all participants were completed by using an EBT system (GE Imatron, South San Francisco, CA). Interscan variability was defined by the following formula: abs (scan A - scan B) / (0.5 x scan A + 0.5 x scan B) x 100%, where A and B denote the first and second scan, respectively, of the dual scan procedure performed before treatment. We evaluated the reproducibility of the cutpoints commonly used for calcium scores clinically, namely 1-30, 31-100, 101-400, and >400.

RESULTS

The CAC interscan variability was 11.8% using the Agatston score and 10.3% using the volume score. The reproducibility was then assessed using cutpoints 1-30, 31-100, 101-400, and >400. Agatston score variability for the four subgroups was 61.3%, 23%, 16.1%, and 8.2%, respectively (mean variability, 11.8%). Volume score variability was 60.0%, 14.4%, 14.6%, and 7.7%, respectively (mean variability, 10.3%). The correlation coefficient for scan A to scan B goes up significantly with increasing calcium scores and reaches 0.99 for scores greater than 400 (P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Interscan variability was sufficiently small for patients with calcium scores greater than 30. Our study thus demonstrates a sufficient reproducibility of the calcium score using EBT. This score allows for accurate serial assessment of these patients and for comparing different therapies.

Calcium scoring using 64-slice MDCT, dual source CT and EBT: a comparative phantom study

Purpose Assessment of calcium scoring (Ca-scoring) on a 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scanner, a dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) scanner and an electron beam tomography (EBT) scanner with a moving cardiac phantom as a function of heart rate, slice thickness and calcium density. Methods and materials Three artificial arteries with inserted calcifications of different sizes and densities were scanned at rest (0 beats per minute) and at 50–110 beats per minute (bpm) with an interval of 10 bpm using 64-slice MDCT, DSCT and EBT. Images were reconstructed with a slice thickness of 0.6 and 3.0 mm. Agatston score, volume score and equivalent mass score were determined for each artery. A cardiac motion susceptibility (CMS) index was introduced to assess the susceptibility of Ca-scoring to heart rate. In addition, a difference (Δ) index was introduced to assess the difference of absolute Ca-scoring on MDCT and DSCT with EBT. Results Ca-score is relatively constant up to 60 bpm and starts to decrease or increase above 70 bpm, depending on scoring method, calcification density and slice thickness. EBT showed the least susceptibility to cardiac motion with the smallest average CMS-index (2.5). The average CMS-index of 64-slice MDCT (9.0) is approximately 2.5 times the average CMS-index of DSCT (3.6). The use of a smaller slice thickness decreases the CMS-index for both CT-modalities. The Δ-index for DSCT at 0.6 mm (53.2) is approximately 30% lower than the Δ-index for 64-slice MDCT at 0.6 mm (72.0). The Δ-indexes at 3.0 mm are approximately equal for both modalities (96.9 and 102.0 for 64-slice MDCT and DSCT respectively). Conclusion Ca-scoring is influenced by heart rate, slice thickness and modality used. Ca-scoring on DSCT is approximately 50% less susceptible to cardiac motion as 64-slice MDCT. DSCT offers a better approximation of absolute calcium score on EBT than 64-slice MDCT when using a smaller slice thickness. A smaller slice thickness reduces the susceptibility to cardiac motion and reduces the difference between CT-data and EBT-data. The best approximation of EBT on CT is found for DSCT with a slice thickness of 0.6 mm.

Coronary artery calcifications: a critical assessment of imaging techniques

The presence of coronary artery calcifications is a distinct marker of atherosclerosis and the severity of calcifications is claimed to reflect a patient's individual plaque burden. Calcium deposits can be detected non-invasively by cardiac computed tomography (CT). This enables detection of coronary artery disease in a subclinical stage, description of the extent of the disease and risk estimation of future cardiovascular events. However, calcium quantification may also be used to monitor atherosclerotic disease, for example in the context of an intensified medical treatment. For years, electron-beam CT has been considered the gold-standard for calcium scoring. However, multi-slice spiral CT has recently captured the market and seems to achieve better measuring results with regard to the accuracy and reproducibility of calcium scores because of its superior image quality. For an optimal comparability of different CT techniques the calcium load should now be reported as absolute calcium mass rather than the traditional scoring methods.

The impact of motion artifacts on the reproducibility of repeated coronary artery calcium measurements

The purpose of this study is, using a 16-section multidetector-row helical computed tomography (MDCT) scanner with retrospective reconstruction, to compare variability in repeated coronary calcium scoring and qualitative scores of the motion artifacts. One hundred forty-four patients underwent two subsequent scans using MDCT. According to Agatston and volume algorithms, the coronary calcium scores during mid-diastole (the center corresponding to 70% of the R-R cycle) were calculated and the inter-scan variability was obtained. Motion artifacts from coronary artery calcium were subjectively evaluated and classified using a 5-point scale: 1, excellent; no motion artifacts; 2, fine, minor motion artifacts; 3, moderate, mild motion artifacts; 4, bad, severe motion artifacts; 5, poor, doubling or discontinuity. Each reading was done by vessels (left main, left descending, left circumflex and right coronary arteries) and the motion artifact score (mean of the scales) was determined per patient. The variability in the low (1.2+/-0.2) and high (2.4+/-0.6) motion artifact score groups was 7+/-6 (median, 6)% and 19+/-15 (16)% on the Agatston score (P<0.01) and 7+/-7 (6)% and 16+/-13 (14)% on the volume score (P<0.01), respectively. In conclusion, motion has a significant impact on the reproducibility of coronary calcium scoring.