Abstract
To evaluate the effect of average heart rate on the quality of images of the coronary arteries and to determine the optimal reconstruction interval in nonselected patients undergoing DSCT coronary imaging. We studied 28 consecutive subjects (26 men, 2 women; mean age 60+/-12 years) undergoing contrast-enhanced DSCT (Somatom Definition, Siemens) coronary angiography. Data sets were reconstructed in 5% steps from 30% to 80% of the R-R interval. Two blinded independent readers assessed the image quality of the whole coronary tree and of each coronary artery using a four-point scale (1: impossible to evaluate, 4: excellent quality). Mean heart rate during scanning was 73.1+/-14.8 bpm (range, 49-107 bpm). In the best reconstruction interval, excellent diagnostic image quality (score 4) was achieved for 98.8% (83/84) of coronary arteries. Very good interobserver agreement was observed for image quality rating (kappa=0.77) and for selection of the optimal reconstruction interval (kappa=0.86). Mean image quality score for the whole coronary tree was 2.84+/-0.31. No significant correlation was found between the average heart rate and the mean quality scores (r=0.108). No significant differences were found in the quality of images of the coronary arteries in systolic and diastolic reconstructions in each patient. DSCT makes it possible to obtain excellent coronary angiograms independent of the heart rate. Reconstructions can be obtained in either the diastolic or systolic phase without significant differences in image quality, even at high heart rates.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.