Quantification and limitation of CT coronary angiography using 128-slice dual-source CT at high heart rate: A simulation study / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective: To simulate the systolic imaging of high-pitch scan for CT coronary angiography in order to evaluate and analyze the distribution features of systolic triggered temporal window (STTW) for high-pitch scan at high heart rate (HR). Methods: Sixty-two consecutive patients were enrolled in our study. Retrospective electrocardiography (ECG) gating low-pitch scan with full cardiac cycle reconstruction was used for all the patients. The reconstruction thickness and gap were 0.75mm and 13.75mm, respectively. The data from 0 ms to 700 ms after R wave was reconstructed with every 10 ms. The STTW would be evaluated from 0 ms to 400 ms. Results: The mean HR was (75.52±8.73)times/min. The STTWwidth (STTWw) was (120.16±75.13)ms for absolute phase and (14.70±8.74)% for relative phase. The STTWcenter (STTWc) was (148.31±51.79)ms for absolute phase and (18.24±5.60)% for relative phase. There was a negative correlation between HR and relative STTWc (r=-0.306, P=0.016). Cut-off value of image assessment was 86bpm (AUC=0.933, P=0.038). Conclusion: Our study described the features of STTW, explained the feasibility of routine high-pitch CTCA with end systolic acquisition at high HR, and revealed the values and limitations of high-pitch scan at high HR.