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Playford D, Schwarz N, Williamson AE, Duong M, Shadmaan A, Turner D, Behncken S, Phillips T, Kearney L. Early outcomes following integration of computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography service in an established cardiology practice in disease management. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2023; 17:254-260. [PMID: 37210242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) is an established modality for the diagnosis and assessment of cardiovascular disease. However, price and space pressure have mostly necessitated outsourcing CTCA to external radiology providers. Advara HeartCare has recently integrated CT services within local clinical networks across Australia. This study examined the benefits of the presence (integrated) or absence (pre-integrated) of this "in-house" CTCA service in real-world clinical practice. METHODS De-identified patient data from electronic medical records were used to create an Advara HeartCare CTCA database. Data analysis included clinical history, demographics, CTCA procedure, and 30-day outcomes post-CTCA from two age-matched cohorts: integrated (n = 495) and pre-integrated (n = 456). RESULTS Data capture was more comprehensive and standardised across the integrated cohort. There was a 21% increase in referrals for CTCA from cardiologists observed for the integration cohort vs. pre-integration [n = 332 (72.8%) pre-integration vs. n = 465 (93.9%) post-integration, p < 0.0001] with a parallel increase in diagnostic assessments including blood tests [n = 209 (45.8%) vs. n = 387 (78.1%), respectively, p < 0.0001]. The integrated cohort received lower total dose length product [Median 212 (interquartile range 136-418) mGy∗cm vs. 244 (141.5, 339.3) mGy∗cm, p = 0.004] during the CTCA procedure. 30-days after CTCA scan, there was a significantly higher use of lipid-lowering therapies in the integrated cohort [n = 133 (50.5%) vs. n = 179 (60.6%), p = 0.04], along with a significant decrease in the number of stress echocardiograms performed [n = 14 (10.6%) vs. n = 5 (11.6%), p = 0.01]. CONCLUSION Integrated CTCA has salient benefits in patient management, including increased pathology tests, statin usage, and decreased post-CTCA stress echocardiography utilisation. Our ongoing work will examine the effect of integration on cardiovascular outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Playford
- Advara HeartCare, 3/245 Given Terrace, Paddington, QLD, 4064, Australia; School of Medicine, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia.
| | - Nisha Schwarz
- Advara HeartCare, 3/245 Given Terrace, Paddington, QLD, 4064, Australia
| | - Anna E Williamson
- Advara HeartCare, 3/245 Given Terrace, Paddington, QLD, 4064, Australia
| | - MyNgan Duong
- Advara HeartCare, 3/245 Given Terrace, Paddington, QLD, 4064, Australia
| | | | | | - Stuart Behncken
- Advara HeartCare, 3/245 Given Terrace, Paddington, QLD, 4064, Australia
| | - Tom Phillips
- Advara HeartCare, 3/245 Given Terrace, Paddington, QLD, 4064, Australia
| | - Leighton Kearney
- Advara HeartCare, 3/245 Given Terrace, Paddington, QLD, 4064, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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How Genetic Variants in Children with Familial Hypercholesterolemia Not Only Guide Detection, but Also Treatment. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030669. [PMID: 36980941 PMCID: PMC10048736 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a hereditary disorder that causes severely elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels, which leads to an increased risk for premature cardiovascular disease. A variety of genetic variants can cause FH, namely variants in the genes for the LDL receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein B (APOB), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), and/or LDL-receptor adaptor protein 1 (LDLRAP1). Variants can exist in a heterozygous form (HeFH) or the more severe homozygous form (HoFH). If affected individuals are diagnosed early (through screening), they benefit tremendously from early initiation of lipid-lowering therapy, such as statins, and cardiovascular imaging to detect possible atherosclerosis. Over the last years, due to intensive research on the genetic basis of LDL-C metabolism, novel, promising therapies have been developed to reduce LDL-C levels and subsequently reduce cardiovascular risk. Results from studies on therapies focused on inhibiting PCSK9, a protein responsible for degradation of the LDLR, are impressive. As the effect of PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9-i) is dependent of residual LDLR activity, this medication is less potent in patients without functional LDLR (e.g., null/null variant). Novel therapies that are expected to become available in the near future focused on inhibition of another major regulatory protein in lipid metabolism (angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3)) might dramatically reduce the frequency of apheresis in children with HoFH, independently of their residual LDLR. At present, another independent risk factor for premature cardiovascular disease, elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), cannot be effectively treated with medication. Further understanding of the genetic basis of Lp(a) metabolism, however, offers a possibility for the development of novel therapies.
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Burch RA, Siddiqui TA, Tou LC, Turner KB, Umair M. The Cost Effectiveness of Coronary CT Angiography and the Effective Utilization of CT-Fractional Flow Reserve in the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:jcdd10010025. [PMID: 36661920 PMCID: PMC9863924 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10010025] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the high global disease burden of coronary artery disease (CAD), a major problem facing healthcare economic policy is identifying the most cost-effective diagnostic strategy for patients with suspected CAD. The aim of this review is to assess the long-term cost-effectiveness of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) when compared with other diagnostic modalities and to define the cost and effective diagnostic utilization of computed tomography-fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR). A search was conducted through the MEDLINE database using PubMed with 16 of 119 manuscripts fitting the inclusion and exclusion criteria for review. An analysis of the data included in this review suggests that CCTA is a cost-effective strategy for both low risk acute chest pain patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) and low-to-intermediate risk stable chest pain outpatients. For patients with intermediate-to-high risk, CT-FFR is superior to CCTA in identifying clinically significant stenosis. In low-to-intermediate risk patients, CCTA provides a cost-effective diagnostic strategy with the potential to reduce economic burden and improve long-term health outcomes. CT-FFR should be utilized in intermediate-to-high risk patients with stenosis of uncertain clinical significance. Long-term analysis of cost-effectiveness and diagnostic utility is needed to determine the optimal balance between the cost-effectiveness and diagnostic utility of CT-FFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rex A. Burch
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 625 Old Peachtree Rd NW, Suwanee, GA 30024, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Taha A. Siddiqui
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 625 Old Peachtree Rd NW, Suwanee, GA 30024, USA
| | - Leila C. Tou
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road BC-71, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Kiera B. Turner
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road BC-71, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Muhammad Umair
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 N Caroline St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Du Y, Wang YN, Wang Q, Qi XH, Shi GF, Jia LT, Wang XM, Shi JB, Liu FY, Wang LJ, Liu X. A comparison of the use of contrast media with different iodine concentrations for enhanced computed tomography. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1141135. [PMID: 37064921 PMCID: PMC10101225 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1141135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: In this study, we compared the enhancement of blood vessels and liver parenchyma on enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the upper abdomen with two concentrations of contrast media (400 and 300 mg I/mL) based on similar iodine delivery rate (IDR) of 0.88 and 0.9 g I/s and iodine load of 450 mg I/kg. Methods: We randomly assigned 160 patients into two groups: iomeprol 400 mg I/mL (A group) and iohexol 300 mg I/mL (B group). The CT attenuation values of the main anatomical structures in the two groups with different scanning phases were measured and the image quality of the two groups was analyzed and compared. The peak pressure and local discomfort (including fever and pain) during contrast medium injection were recorded. Results: The mean attenuation value of the abdominal aorta was 313.6 ± 29.6 in the A group and 322.4 ± 30.1 in the B group during the late arterial phase (p = 0.8). Meanwhile, the mean enhancement values of the portal vein were 176.2 ± 19.3 and 165.9 ± 24.5 in the A and B groups, respectively, during the portal venous phase (p = 0.6). The mean CT values of liver parenchyma were 117.1 ± 15.3 and 108.8 ± 18.7 in the A and B groups, respectively, during the portal venous phase (p = 0.9). There was no statistical difference in image quality, peak injection pressure (psi), and local discomfort between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: When a similar IDR and the same iodine load are used, CT images with different concentrations of contrast media have the same subjective and objective quality, and can meet the diagnostic needs.
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Xu Y, Sushmit A, Lyu Q, Li Y, Cao X, Maltz JS, Wang G, Yu H. Cardiac CT motion artifact grading via semi-automatic labeling and vessel tracking using synthetic image-augmented training data. JOURNAL OF X-RAY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2022; 30:433-445. [PMID: 35342075 DOI: 10.3233/xst-211109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac CT provides critical information for the evaluation of cardiovascular diseases. However, involuntary patient motion and physiological movement of the organs during CT scanning cause motion blur in the reconstructed CT images, degrading both cardiac CT image quality and its diagnostic value. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate an effective and efficient method for CT coronary angiography image quality grading via semi-automatic labeling and vessel tracking. These algorithms produce scores that accord with those of expert readers to within 0.85 points on a 5-point scale. We also train a neural network model to perform fully-automatic motion artifact grading. We demonstrate, using XCAT simulation tools to generate realistic phantom CT data, that supplementing clinical data with synthetic data improves the scoring performance of this network. With respect to ground truth scores assigned by expert operators, the mean square error of grading motion of the right coronary artery is reduced by 36% by synthetic data supplementation. This demonstrates that augmentation of clinical training data with realistically synthesized images can potentially reduce the number of clinical studies needed to train the network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongshun Xu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Asif Sushmit
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Qing Lyu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Molecular Imaging and Computed Tomography, GE Healthcare, 3000 N Grandview Boulevard, Waukesha, WI, USA
| | - Ximiao Cao
- Molecular Imaging and Computed Tomography, GE Healthcare, 3000 N Grandview Boulevard, Waukesha, WI, USA
| | - Jonathan S Maltz
- Molecular Imaging and Computed Tomography, GE Healthcare, 3000 N Grandview Boulevard, Waukesha, WI, USA
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ge Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Hengyong Yu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
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Third-Generation Dual-Source Computed Tomography for Coronary Angiography With Individually Tailored Scan Protocols Can Achieve a Low Radiation Dose With Good Image Quality in Unselected Patients. J Comput Assist Tomogr 2021; 46:41-49. [DOI: 10.1097/rct.0000000000001229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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7
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Coronary artery disease imaging reporting and data system (CAD-RADS): what radiologists need to know? Emerg Radiol 2021; 28:1185-1203. [PMID: 34387783 DOI: 10.1007/s10140-021-01973-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work is to review Coronary Artery Disease Imaging Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS) that was designed to standardize reporting language and improve the communication of data among radiologists and clinicians. Stenotic lesions are graded into 5 grades ranging from 0 (no stenosis) to 5 (total occlusion), where the highest grade represents the final score. The expert consensus platform has added 4 special modifiers (non-diagnostic, stent, graft, and vulnerability) to aid patient management through linking these scores with decision algorithm and treatment plan. Adherence to standard imaging protocol; knowledge of normal, variant, and anomalous anatomy; and skillful evaluation of stenosis are important for proper utilization of this reporting system. Lastly, radiologists should be aware of the inherited benefits, limitations, and common pitfalls of this classification system.
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8
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Zhang Q, Mi H, Shi X, Li W, Guo S, Wang P, Suo H, Wang Z, Jin S, Yan F, Niu Y, Xian J. Higher Iodine Concentration Enables Radiation Dose Reduction in Coronary CT Angiography. Acad Radiol 2021; 28:1072-1080. [PMID: 32553279 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2020.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To test whether higher iodine concentration together with higher noise level could lead to a further dose reduction in an already low dose coronary CT angiography (CCTA) protocol without comprising image quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred eighty patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were randomly assigned into three groups: (a) conventional dose (CD) group, 100 kV with a noise index (NI) of 25 and iohexol (350 mg I/ml); (b) low dose (LD) group, 80 kV with a NI of 25 and iohexol (350 mg I/ml); (c) further low dose (FLD) group, 80 kV with a NI of 30 and iomeprol (400 mg I/ml). The volume and injection rate of contrast medium were fixed at 60 ml and 5 ml/s. The radiation dose (volume CT dose index [CTDIvol], dose length product [DLP], and effective dose [ED]) were recorded. For image quality, both quantitative (enhancement, noise, signal-to-noise ratio [SNR], and contrast-to-noise ratio [CNR]) and qualitative indices were assessed. RESULTS Compared to the CD group, ED was reduced by 16% and 42% in the LD and FLD groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Qualitative analysis showed no significant difference among the 3 groups (p > 0.05), while quantitative analysis revealed significantly higher attenuation in the LD and FLD groups. Signal-to-noise ratios and CNRs of the LD and FLD groups were significantly higher except for the CNR at the left circumflex branch of the FLD group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Increasing iodine concentration and noise level may further reduce the radiation dose by 26% on top of a 16% reduction from 100 kV to 80 kV without image quality compromise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 1 Dongjiaomin lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Haifeng Mi
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 1 Dongjiaomin lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Xubo Shi
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 1 Dongjiaomin lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Senlin Guo
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 1 Dongjiaomin lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 1 Dongjiaomin lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Hongna Suo
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 1 Dongjiaomin lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 1 Dongjiaomin lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Shanshan Jin
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Fei Yan
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 1 Dongjiaomin lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Yantao Niu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 1 Dongjiaomin lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Junfang Xian
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 1 Dongjiaomin lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, P.R. China.
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Bays HE, Khera A, Blaha MJ, Budoff MJ, Toth PP. Ten things to know about ten imaging studies: A preventive cardiology perspective ("ASPC top ten imaging"). Am J Prev Cardiol 2021; 6:100176. [PMID: 34327499 PMCID: PMC8315431 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpc.2021.100176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowing the patient's current cardiovascular disease (CVD) status, as well as the patient's current and future CVD risk, helps the clinician make more informed patient-centered management recommendations towards the goal of preventing future CVD events. Imaging tests that can assist the clinician with the diagnosis and prognosis of CVD include imaging studies of the heart and vascular system, as well as imaging studies of other body organs applicable to CVD risk. The American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) has published "Ten Things to Know About Ten Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors." Similarly, this "ASPC Top Ten Imaging" summarizes ten things to know about ten imaging studies related to assessing CVD and CVD risk, listed in tabular form. The ten imaging studies herein include: (1) coronary artery calcium imaging (CAC), (2) coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), (3) cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography), (4) nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), (5) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), (6) cardiac catheterization [with or without intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or coronary optical coherence tomography (OCT)], (7) dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition, (8) hepatic imaging [ultrasound of liver, vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), CT, MRI proton density fat fraction (PDFF), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)], (9) peripheral artery / endothelial function imaging (e.g., carotid ultrasound, peripheral doppler imaging, ultrasound flow-mediated dilation, other tests of endothelial function and peripheral vascular imaging) and (10) images of other body organs applicable to preventive cardiology (brain, kidney, ovary). Many cardiologists perform cardiovascular-related imaging. Many non-cardiologists perform applicable non-cardiovascular imaging. Cardiologists and non-cardiologists alike may benefit from a working knowledge of imaging studies applicable to the diagnosis and prognosis of CVD and CVD risk - both important in preventive cardiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold E. Bays
- Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center, 3288 Illinois Avenue, Louisville KY 40213 USA
| | - Amit Khera
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX USA
| | - Michael J. Blaha
- Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Baltimore MD USA
| | - Matthew J Budoff
- Department of Medicine, Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA, Torrance CA USA
| | - Peter P. Toth
- CGH Medical Cener, Sterling, IL 61081 USA
- Cicarrone center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
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10
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The Incremental Role of Coronary Computed Tomography in Chronic Coronary Syndromes. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9123925. [PMID: 33287329 PMCID: PMC7761760 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9123925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In the context of chronic coronary syndromes (CCS), coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has gained broad acceptance as a noninvasive anatomical imaging tool with ability of excluding coronary stenosis with strong negative predictive value. Atherosclerotic plaque lesions are independent predictors of cardiovascular outcomes in high risk patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD). Calcium detection is commonly expressed through the coronary artery calcium score (CACS), but further research is warranted to confirm the powerness of a CACS-only strategy in both diagnosis and prognosis assessment. Recent studies evidence how defined plaque composition characteristics effectively relate to the risk of plaque instabilization and the overall ischemic burden. Fractional flow reserve from CCTA (FFR-CT) has been demonstrated as a reliable method for noninvasive functional evaluation of coronary lesions severity, while the assessment of perfusion imaging under stress conditions is growing as a useful tool for assessment of myocardial ischemia. Moreover, specific applications in procedural planning of transcatheter valve substitution and follow-up of heart transplantation have gained recent importance. This review illustrates the incremental role of CCTA, which can potentially revolutionize the diagnosis and management pathway within the wide clinical spectrum of CCS.
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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.
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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
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12
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Kang EJ. Clinical Applications of Wide-Detector CT Scanners for Cardiothoracic Imaging: An Update. Korean J Radiol 2020; 20:1583-1596. [PMID: 31854147 PMCID: PMC6923215 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2019.0327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Technical developments in multidetector computed tomography (CT) have increased the number of detector rows on the z-axis, and 16-cm wide-area-coverage CT scanners have enabled volumetric scanning of the entire heart. Beyond coronary arterial imaging, such innovations offer several advantages during clinical imaging in the cardiothoracic area. The wide-detector CT scanner markedly reduces the image acquisition time to less than 1 second for coronary CT angiography, thereby decreasing the volume of contrast material and radiation dose required for the examination. It also eliminates stair-step artifacts, allowing robust improvements in myocardial function and perfusion imaging. Additionally, new imaging techniques for the cardiothoracic area, including subtraction imaging and free-breathing scans, have been developed and further improved by using the wide-detector CT scanner. This article investigates the technical developments in wide-detector CT scanners, summarizes their clinical applications in the cardiothoracic area, and provides a review of the recent literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Ju Kang
- Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea.
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13
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Richards CE, Obaid DR. Low-Dose Radiation Advances in Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease. Curr Cardiol Rev 2019; 15:304-315. [PMID: 30806322 PMCID: PMC8142354 DOI: 10.2174/1573403x15666190222163737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is now widely used in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease since it is a rapid, minimally invasive test with a diagnostic accuracy comparable to coronary angiography. However, to meet demands for increasing spatial and temporal resolution, higher x-ray radiation doses are required to circumvent the resulting increase in image noise. Exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation with CT imaging is a major health concern due to the potential risk of radiation-associated malignancy. Given its increasing use, a number of dose saving algorithms have been implemented to CCTA to minimize radiation exposure to “as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)” without compromising diagnostic image quality. Objective
The purpose of this review is to outline the most recent advances and current status of dose saving techniques in CCTA. Method
PubMed, Medline, EMBASE and Scholar databases were searched to identify feasibility studies, clinical trials, and technology guidelines on the technical advances in CT scanner hardware and reconstruction software. Results
Sub-millisievert (mSv) radiation doses have been reported for CCTA due to a combination of strategies such as prospective electrocardiogram-gating, high-pitch helical acquisition, tube current modulation, tube voltage reduction, heart rate reduction, and the most recent novel adaptive iterative reconstruction algorithms. Conclusion
Advances in radiation dose reduction without loss of image quality justify the use of CCTA as a non-invasive alternative to coronary catheterization in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caryl E Richards
- Department of Cardiology, Morriston Hospital, Heol Maes Eglwys, Morriston, Swansea, SA6 6NL, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel R Obaid
- Department of Cardiology, Morriston Hospital, Heol Maes Eglwys, Morriston, Swansea, SA6 6NL, United Kingdom.,Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Grove Building, Singleton Park, Sketty, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
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