1. High-pitch dual-source CT angiography of the whole aorta without ECG synchronisation: initial experience.
- Author
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Beeres M, Schell B, Mastragelopoulos A, Herrmann E, Kerl JM, Gruber-Rouh T, Lee C, Siebenhandl P, Bodelle B, Zangos S, Vogl TJ, Jacobi V, and Bauer RW
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aorta, Thoracic physiopathology, Aortic Diseases physiopathology, Feasibility Studies, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Radiation Dosage, Sensitivity and Specificity, Aorta, Thoracic diagnostic imaging, Aortic Diseases diagnostic imaging, Artifacts, Coronary Angiography methods, Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted, Tomography, X-Ray Computed methods
- Abstract
Objective: To investigate the feasibility, image quality and radiation dose for high-pitch dual-source CT angiography (CTA) of the whole aorta without ECG synchronisation., Methods: Each group of 40 patients underwent CTA either on a 16-slice (group 1) or dual-source CT device with conventional single-source (group 2) or high-pitch mode with a pitch of 3.0 (group 3). The presence of motion or stair-step artefacts of the thoracic aorta was independently assessed by two readers., Results: Subjective and objective scoring of motion and artefacts were significantly reduced in the high-pitch examination protocol (p < 0.05). The imaging length was not significantly different, but the imaging time was significantly (p < 0.001) shorter in the high-pitch group (12.2 vs. 7.4 vs. 1.7 s for groups 1, 2 and 3). The ascending aorta and the coronary ostia were reliably evaluable in all patients of group 3 without motion artefacts as well., Conclusion: High-pitch dual-source CT angiography of the whole aorta is feasible in unselected patients. As a significant advantage over regular pitch protocols, motion-free imaging of the aorta is possible without ECG synchronisation. Thus, this CT mode bears potential to become a standard CT protocol before trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).
- Published
- 2012
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