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Image quality of 16-slice computed tomography coronary angiography in patients with complete left bundle branch block

Antanas Jankauskas1, Jurgita Zaveckiene, Gabija Pundziūte

  • 1Department of Radiology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Eiveniu 2, Kaunas, Lithuania. jankauskas.antanas@gmail.com

Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|February 19, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Left bundle branch block does not significantly impact overall multislice computed tomography coronary angiography image quality. However, end-systolic phase imaging is lower in these patients, making multi-phase assessment crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Radiology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) presents diagnostic challenges.
  • Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography is a valuable tool, but image quality is influenced by myocardial contraction patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of LBBB on the image quality of MSCT coronary angiography.
  • To determine if LBBB affects image quality in specific cardiac phases and if multi-phase assessment improves diagnostic accuracy.

Main Methods:

  • MSCT coronary angiography was performed in 30 patients with LBBB and 30 controls.
  • Coronary segment image quality was assessed visually on a five-point scale.

Main Results:

  • Overall image quality scores did not significantly differ between LBBB and control groups in the optimal cardiac phase.
  • Image quality was significantly lower in the end-systolic phase for the LBBB group compared to controls.
  • Multi-phase image assessment improved image quality scores more significantly in the LBBB group.

Conclusions:

  • MSCT coronary angiography demonstrates nonsignificantly lower overall image quality in patients with LBBB.
  • End-systolic phase imaging quality is significantly reduced in LBBB patients.
  • Multi-phase image assessment is recommended to enhance diagnostic accuracy in LBBB patients, as increased heart rate and heart rate variability negatively impact image quality in both groups.
Abstract

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