Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 Tesla
09:14

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 Tesla

Published on: January 6, 2019

Image quality, motion artifacts, and reconstruction timing of 64-slice coronary computed tomography angiography with

Bernd J Wintersperger1, Konstantin Nikolaou, Franz von Ziegler

  • 1Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospitals-Grosshadern, Germany. Bernd.Wintersperger@med.uni-muenchen.de

Investigative Radiology
|April 21, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Coronary CTA image quality remains diagnostic across a wide heart rate (HR) range with 0.33-second rotation. Higher HR shifts optimal image acquisition timing from diastole to systole.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Cardiovascular Imaging

Background:

  • Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) is crucial for diagnosing coronary artery disease.
  • Image quality (IQ) in coronary CTA is sensitive to patient heart rate (HR) and motion artifacts.
  • Advancements in scanner technology aim to improve diagnostic accuracy across various physiological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of patient heart rate (HR) on coronary CTA image quality (IQ).
  • To assess the influence of HR on motion artifacts during coronary CTA acquisition.
  • To determine the effectiveness of dual-segment reconstruction in mitigating HR-related artifacts.

Main Methods:

  • Coronary CTA datasets from 32 patients were analyzed using a 64-slice scanner with 0.33-second rotation speed.
  • Patients were stratified into three HR groups: ≤65 bpm, >65 to ≤75 bpm, and >75 bpm.
  • Image quality was assessed by two readers using a 3-point scale, and correlated with HR and reconstruction techniques.

Main Results:

  • Overall mean IQ was significantly affected by HR (P = 0.0003), with better quality at lower HRs.
  • Dual-segment reconstruction did not significantly improve IQ in any HR group.
  • A shift in the optimal image acquisition window from diastole to systole was observed with increasing HR.

Conclusions:

  • Diagnostic coronary CTA image quality is achievable within a broad HR range using half-scan reconstruction with 0.33-second temporal resolution.
  • Increasing heart rate necessitates adjustments in the timing of image acquisition, shifting from mid-diastole towards systole.
  • Motion artifacts remain a challenge, though manageable within diagnostic limits for most coronary segments.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Time-Resolved, Dynamic Computed Tomography Angiography for Characterization of Aortic Endoleaks and Treatment Guidance via 2D-3D Fusion-Imaging09:32

Time-Resolved, Dynamic Computed Tomography Angiography for Characterization of Aortic Endoleaks and Treatment Guidance via 2D-3D Fusion-Imaging

Published on: December 9, 2021

Retrospective Cardiac Gating with A Prototype Small-Animal X-ray Computed Tomograph05:32

Retrospective Cardiac Gating with A Prototype Small-Animal X-ray Computed Tomograph

Published on: February 21, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT01:28

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scanning is an advanced cardiac imaging technique that utilizes CT technology, with or without intravenous (IV) contrast, to produce accurate cross-sectional virtual slices of specific areas of the heart, coronary circulation, and major blood vessels such as the aorta, pulmonary veins, and arteries. The computer processes these slices to generate three-dimensional images. Multidetector CT (MDCT) is a rapid form of CT scanning that captures multiple slices...
Computed Tomography01:10

Computed Tomography

Tomography refers to imaging by sections. Computed tomography (CT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses computers to analyze several cross-sectional X-rays to reveal minute details about structures in the body.
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT01:25

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT

Calcium-Scoring CT ScanA calcium-scoring CT scan, also known as coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan, detects calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. This test assesses the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to cardiovascular events such as angina, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.A calcium-scoring CT scan is generally recommended for individuals at intermediate risk of CAD without symptoms. It includes:Men aged 40-75 and women aged 50-75: Especially those with a...