Thoracic cardiovascular imaging with 16-row multislice Computed Tomography and retrospective ECG-gating. Technical...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Medical Technology
• Radiology

Background:

• Multislice CT (MSCT) is crucial for evaluating intrathoracic vessels.
• Motion artifacts can limit the diagnostic quality of thoracic CT scans.
• ECG-gating techniques aim to minimize motion-related artifacts in cardiac imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of retrospective ECG-gating with a 16-row MSCT scanner for imaging intrathoracic vessels.
• To compare the image quality and diagnostic yield of ECG-gated MSCT versus conventional MSCT protocols.

Main Methods:

• A 16-row MSCT scanner was used in 48 patients studying great intrathoracic vessels.
• Group 1 (33 patients) received a retrospectively ECG-gated protocol.
• Group 2 (15 patients) received a conventional MSCT protocol; images were scored for artifacts and vessel visualization.

Main Results:

• Retrospective ECG-gating (Group 1) eliminated motion artifacts in the ascending aorta, unlike the conventional protocol (Group 2).
• Visualization of proximal coronary arteries (LAD, CX, RCA) was significantly better with ECG-gating (91-94% assessability).
• The left main coronary artery was assessable in 97% of Group 1 patients versus 67% in Group 2.

Conclusions:

• Retrospectively ECG-gated 16-row MSCT enhances visualization of the ascending aorta.
• This technique significantly improves the assessment of coronary arteries compared to conventional MSCT.
• ECG-gated MSCT provides superior diagnostic information for intrathoracic vessel evaluation.