Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
Low-dose CT coronary angiography in the step-and-shoot mode: diagnostic performance
H Scheffel1, H Alkadhi, S Leschka
1Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistr 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
Objective:
To investigate the performance of low-dose, dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) coronary angiography in the step-and-shoot (SAS) mode for the diagnosis of significant coronary artery stenoses in comparison with conventional coronary angiography (CCA).
Design, Setting And Patients:
Prospective, single-centre study conducted in a referral centre enrolling 120 patients (71 men, mean (SD) age 68 (9) years, mean (SD) body mass index 26.2 (3.2) kg/m2). All study participants underwent DSCT in the SAS mode and CCA within 14 days. Twenty-seven patients were given intravenous beta blockers for heart rate reduction before CT. Patients were excluded if a target heart rate
Results:
DSCT coronary angiography in the SAS mode was successfully performed in all 120 patients. Mean (SD) heart rate during scanning was 59 (6) bpm (range 44-69). 1773/1803 coronary segments (98%) were depicted with a diagnostic image quality in 109/120 patients (91%). The overall patient-based sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for the diagnosis of significant stenoses were 100%, 93%, 94% and 100%, respectively. The mean (SD) effective dose of the CT protocol was 2.5 (0.8) mSv (range 1.2-4.4).
Conclusions:
DSCT coronary angiography in the SAS mode allows, in selected patients with a regular heart rate, the accurate diagnosis of significant coronary stenoses at a low radiation dose.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion, evaluates...

