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Dual Energy Imaging in Cardiovascular CT: Current Status and Impact on Radiation, Contrast and Accuracy

  • Cardiac Computed Tomography (S Achenbach and T Villines, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) exploits the continuous energy distribution of x-rays to improve differentiation of tissues beyond what is possible with single-energy CT (SECT). DECT often uses smaller volumes of iodinated contrast agent and lower radiation doses than SECT. Clinical applications of DECT in cardiovascular imaging are emerging and include myocardial perfusion imaging, myocardial infarct and viability imaging, coronary plaque characterization, coronary stent assessment, and myocardial iron quantification. In this review, we discuss the available methods for acquiring and processing DECT data, the current status of DECT in cardiovascular imaging, and its impact on the dose of radiation and contrast agent.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the editorial assistance of Megan M. Griffiths, scientific writer for the Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.

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Conflict of Interest

Prabhakar Rajiah and Sandra Hallburton declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiothoracic Imaging, Department of Radiology, University Hospital Cleveland Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA

    Prabhakar Rajiah

  2. Imaging Institute, Heart and Vascular Institute Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Sandra S. Halliburton

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  1. Prabhakar Rajiah
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  2. Sandra S. Halliburton
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Correspondence to Prabhakar Rajiah.

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This a article is part of the Topical Collection on Cardiac Computed Tomography

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Rajiah, P., Halliburton, S.S. Dual Energy Imaging in Cardiovascular CT: Current Status and Impact on Radiation, Contrast and Accuracy. Curr Cardiovasc Imaging Rep 7, 9289 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12410-014-9289-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12410-014-9289-6

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