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Quantification of coronary artery calcium using multidetector CT and a retrospective ECG-gating reconstruction
J Horiguchi1, T Nakanishi, K Ito
1Department of Radiology, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, 1-2-3, Kasumi-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|November 22, 2001
Summary
Multidetector CT with multisector reconstruction significantly reduces motion artifacts and improves image quality for coronary calcium scoring. This technique shows high correlation with electron beam CT, making it a promising tool for assessing coronary artery calcification.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Coronary artery calcification is a key indicator of cardiovascular disease risk.
- Accurate assessment of coronary calcium scores is crucial for risk stratification.
- Electron beam CT has been a standard for coronary calcium scoring, but multidetector CT offers potential advantages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate image quality and motion artifacts on multidetector CT (MDCT) scans.
- To compare MDCT results with electron beam CT (EBCT) for coronary calcium scoring.
- To assess the impact of different reconstruction algorithms on MDCT image quality.
Main Methods:
- MDCT scans were performed on 20 volunteers to compare signal-to-noise ratio and motion artifacts using single-sector and multisector reconstruction algorithms.
- 60 patients with coronary calcified deposits underwent both MDCT and EBCT.
- Coronary calcium scores were compared between MDCT (using two thresholds) and EBCT.
Main Results:
- The multisector reconstruction algorithm yielded higher signal-to-noise ratios and reduced motion artifacts compared to the single-sector algorithm.
- The prevalence of exceeding a 90 H threshold in coronary arteries was significantly lower with the multisector algorithm (1/55) versus the single-sector algorithm (17/55).
- Coronary calcium scoring demonstrated high correlation coefficients between MDCT and EBCT, ranging from 0.920 to 0.992 (Pearson's) and 0.932 to 0.969 (Spearman's).
Conclusions:
- Multidetector CT utilizing a retrospective ECG-gating algorithm (multisector reconstruction) produces cardiac images with improved quality and fewer motion artifacts.
- MDCT shows a high correlation with coronary calcium scores obtained via electron beam CT.
- Multidetector CT is identified as a viable and potential tool for accurate coronary calcium scoring.