Functional cardiac CT imaging: a new contrast application strategy for a better visualization of the cardiac chambers

Evaluation of a new protocol for Dual-source CT contrast-enhanced cardiac imaging for better visualization of right ventricle structures.

A total of 106 patients were included in this prospective, controlled study. The control group (n=53) underwent our clinic's standard procedure for contrast-enhanced imaging of coronary arteries. The study group (n=53) was imaged using a protocol with the dual flow injection protocol in which the saline chaser bolus contained 20% contrast media. The images were analyzed for mean density values using defined ROIs in the septum and both ventricles. In addition the data sets were semi-quantitatively evaluated for visual delineation between right ventricle and septum. To investigate whether this new protocol influenced the visualization of coronary arteries, mean density was also measured in the right and left coronary artery.

The dual flow concept allows for a statistically significant better delineation of the septum in Dual-source cardiac computed tomography for both the quantitative and semi-quantitative analyses. Also, the dual flow concept allows for statistically relevant higher coronary attenuation.

Using a saline chaser containing 20% contrast medium improves septal delineation for functional ventricular analysis as well as unimpaired coronary visualization.