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Dual-source CT cardiac imaging: initial experience

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Abstract

The relation of heart rate and image quality in the depiction of coronary arteries, heart valves and myocardium was assessed on a dual-source computed tomography system (DSCT). Coronary CT angiography was performed on a DSCT (Somatom Definition, Siemens) with high concentration contrast media (Iopromide, Ultravist 370, Schering) in 24 patients with heart rates between 44 and 92 beats per minute. Images were reconstructed over the whole cardiac cycle in 10% steps. Two readers independently assessed the image quality with regard to the diagnostic evaluation of right and left coronary artery, heart valves and left ventricular myocardium for the assessment of vessel wall changes, coronary stenoses, valve morphology and function and ventricular function on a three point grading scale. The image quality ratings at the optimal reconstruction interval were 1.24±0.42 for the right and 1.09±0.27 for the left coronary artery. A reconstruction of diagnostic systolic and diastolic images is possible for a wide range of heart rates, allowing also a functional evaluation of valves and myocardium. Dual-source CT offers very robust diagnostic image quality in a wide range of heart rates. The high temporal resolution now also makes a functional evaluation of the heart valves and myocardium possible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Munich–Grosshadern Campus, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany

    Thorsten R. C. Johnson, Konstantin Nikolaou, Bernd J. Wintersperger, Carsten Rist, Sonja Buhmann, Maximilian F. Reiser & Christoph R. Becker

  2. Department of Cardiology, Medical Clinic I, University of Munich–Grosshadern Campus, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany

    Alexander W. Leber, Franz von Ziegler & Andreas Knez

Authors
  1. Thorsten R. C. Johnson
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  2. Konstantin Nikolaou
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  3. Bernd J. Wintersperger
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  4. Alexander W. Leber
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  5. Franz von Ziegler
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  6. Carsten Rist
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  7. Sonja Buhmann
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  8. Andreas Knez
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  9. Maximilian F. Reiser
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  10. Christoph R. Becker
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Correspondence to Thorsten R. C. Johnson.

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Johnson, T.R.C., Nikolaou, K., Wintersperger, B.J. et al. Dual-source CT cardiac imaging: initial experience. Eur Radiol 16, 1409–1415 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-006-0298-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-006-0298-y

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