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A Novel Model to Test Accuracy and Reproducibility of MDCT Scan Protocols for Coronary Calcium in Vivo

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Abstract

Objectives: We compared the accuracy and reliability of prospectively triggered, retrospectively ECG gated, and non-gated CT image reconstruction for measurements of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in vivo using a novel animal model. Materials and Methods: In six Yorkshire farm pigs, prefabricated chains of cortical bone fragments were sutured over the epicardial bed of the major coronary arteries. Using a 4-slice MDCT scanner, each animal was imaged with two different protocols: sequential acquisition with prospective ECG triggering, and spiral acquisition with retrospectively ECG gated image reconstruction- non-gated reconstructions were also generated from these latter scans. Two independent observers measured the ‘Agatston score’ (AS), the calcified volume (CV), and mineral mass (MM). To calculate accuracy of MM measurements the ash weight of the burned bone fragments was compared to MDCT derived MM. Results: Six pigs successfully underwent surgery and CT imaging (mean heart rate: 86 ±12 bpm). MM measurements from prospectively ECG triggered CT sequential scans were more accurate (p<0.02) and reproducible (p=0.05) than sequential CT scans without ECG triggering or spiral acquisition using retrospective ECG gating. Conclusions: At high heart rates prospective ECG triggered image reconstruction is more accurate and reproducible for CAC scoring than retrospective ECG gated reconstruction and non-gated reconstruction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Michael Rosol, Karina Sachdev, Christian N. Enzweiler, Dylan C. Kwait, Ryan Millea, Jason Handwerker, Stephan Wicky, Stephen Achenbach, Thomas J. Brady & Udo Hoffmann

  2. Department of Cardiac Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    James Titus

  3. Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Erlangen, Germany

    Stephen Achenbach

  4. Department of Radiology, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, 4650 West Sunset Blvd. M/S 81, 90027, USA

    Michael Rosol

Authors
  1. Michael Rosol
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  2. Karina Sachdev
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  3. Christian N. Enzweiler
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  4. Dylan C. Kwait
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  5. Ryan Millea
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  6. James Titus
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  7. Jason Handwerker
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  8. Stephan Wicky
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  9. Stephen Achenbach
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  10. Thomas J. Brady
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  11. Udo Hoffmann
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Correspondence to Michael Rosol.

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Rosol, M., Sachdev, K., Enzweiler, C.N. et al. A Novel Model to Test Accuracy and Reproducibility of MDCT Scan Protocols for Coronary Calcium in Vivo. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 22, 111–118 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-005-6535-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-005-6535-7

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