Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Quantification of Mouse Heart Left Ventricular Function, Myocardial Strain, and Hemodynamic Forces by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: May 24, 2021
Dual-source CT coronary angiography: image quality, mean heart rate, and heart rate variability
David Matt1, Hans Scheffel, Sebastian Leschka
1Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mean heart rate and heart rate variability on the image quality of dual-source CT coronary angiography.
Subjects And Methods:
Eighty patients underwent dual-source CT coronary angiography. Thirteen data sets were reconstructed in 5% steps from 20-80% of the R-R interval. Heart rate variability was calculated as SD of mean heart rate. Two independent blinded reviewers assessed the image quality of each segment.
Results:
Mean heart rate was 65.3 +/- 13.9 (SD) beats per minute (bpm) (range, 35-99 bpm) with a variability of 3.4 +/- 4.1 bpm (range, 0.4-17.5 bpm). Image quality was sufficient for diagnosis for 97.8% (1,043/1,066) of arterial segments. No significant correlation was found between mean heart rate and image quality in any segment or any coronary artery. No significant correlation was found between heart rate variability and image quality in any segment, the right coronary artery, or the left anterior descending artery, but there was a significant (p < 0.05) correlation in the left circumflex artery. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) between overall image quality was found for mean and variability of heart rate as shared predictors, the latter having a greater contribution.
Conclusion:
The overall image quality of dual-source CT coronary angiography is sufficient for diagnosis within a wide range of mean heart rates and variability of heart rates. Only heart rates that are both high and variable significantly deteriorate image quality, but the quality remains adequate for diagnosis.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle
A cardiac action potential originates in the SA node and spreads throughout the atria and the AV node in approximately 0.03 seconds. This results in the P wave in an ECG and triggers atrial contraction. The action potential is then briefly slowed at the AV node, allowing the atria to contract and fill the ventricles with blood before...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for diagnosing...
