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Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Retrospective Cardiac Gating with A Prototype Small-Animal X-ray Computed Tomograph
Published on: February 21, 2025
Deep learning reconstruction versus iterative reconstruction for cardiac CT angiography in a stroke imaging protocol:
Angélique Bernard1, Pierre-Olivier Comby1, Brivaël Lemogne1
1Department of Neuroradiology and Emergency Radiology, François-Mitterrand University Hospital, Dijon, France.
Background:
To assess the radiation dose and image quality of cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in an acute stroke imaging protocol using a deep learning reconstruction (DLR) method compared to a hybrid iterative reconstruction algorithm.
Methods:
Retrospective analysis of 296 consecutive patients admitted to the emergency department for stroke suspicion. All patients underwent a stroke CT imaging protocol including a non-enhanced brain CT, a brain perfusion CT imaging if necessary, a CT angiography (CTA) of the supra-aortic vessels, a CCTA and a post-contrast brain CT. The CCTA was performed with a prospectively ECG-gated volume acquisition. Among all CT scans performed, 143 were reconstructed with an iterative reconstruction algorithm (AIDR 3D, adaptive iterative dose reduction three dimensional) and 146 with a DLR algorithm (AiCE, advanced intelligent clear-IQ engine). Image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and subjective image quality (IQ) scored from 1 to 4 were assessed. Dose-length product (DLP), volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and effective dose (ED) were obtained.
Results:
The radiation dose was significantly lower with AiCE than with AIDR 3D (DLP =106.4±50.0 vs. 176.1±37.1 mGy·cm, CTDIvol =6.9±3.2 vs. 11.5±2.2 mGy, and ED =1.5±0.7 vs. 2.5±0.5 mSv) (P<0.001). The median SNR and CNR were higher [9.9 (IQR, 8.1-12.3); and 12.6 (IQR, 10.5-15.5), respectively], with AiCE than with AIDR 3D [6.5 (IQR, 5.2-8.5); and 8.4 (IQR, 6.7-11.0), respectively] (P<0.001). SNR and CNR were increased by 51% and 49%, respectively, with AiCE compared to AIDR 3D. The image quality was significantly better with AiCE (mean IQ score =3.4±0.7) than with AIDR 3D (mean IQ score =3±0.9) (P<0.001).
Conclusions:
The use of a DLR algorithm for cardiac CTA in an acute stroke imaging protocol reduced the radiation dose by about 40% and improved the image quality by about 50% compared to an iterative reconstruction algorithm.
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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...