Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction-V: Impact on Image Quality in Ultralow-Dose Coronary Computed
Dominik C Benz1, Christoph Gräni, Fran Mikulicic
1From the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse, Zurich, Switzerland.
Objective:
The clinical utility of a latest generation iterative reconstruction algorithm (adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction [ASiR-V]) has yet to be elucidated for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). This study evaluates the impact of ASiR-V on signal, noise and image quality in CCTA.
Methods:
Sixty-five patients underwent clinically indicated CCTA on a 256-slice CT scanner using an ultralow-dose protocol. Data sets from each patient were reconstructed at 6 different levels of ASiR-V. Signal intensity was measured by placing a region of interest in the aortic root, LMA, and RCA. Similarly, noise was measured in the aortic root. Image quality was visually assessed by 2 readers.
Results:
Median radiation dose was 0.49 mSv. Image noise decreased with increasing levels of ASiR-V resulting in a significant increase in signal-to-noise ratio in the RCA and LMA (P < 0.001). Correspondingly, image quality significantly increased with higher levels of ASiR-V (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
ASiR-V yields substantial noise reduction and improved image quality enabling introduction of ultralow-dose CCTA.
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