Correlation and predictive value of aortic root calcification markers with coronary artery calcification and obstructive coronary artery disease.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between aortic root calcification (ARC) markers and coronary artery calcification (CAC) derived from coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) and their ability to predict obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 189 patients (47% male, age 60.3 ± 11.

Diagnostic accuracy of coronary CT angiography using 3-generation dual-source CT and automated tube voltage selection: Clinical application in a non-obese and obese patient population.

Purpose: To investigate diagnostic accuracy of 3-generation dual-source CT (DSCT) coronary angiography in obese and non-obese patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 76 patients who underwent coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and invasive coronary angiography. Prospectively ECG-triggered acquisition was performed with automated tube voltage selection (ATVS).

Coronary CT angiography-derived quantitative markers for predicting in-stent restenosis.

Objective: To evaluate quantitative markers derived from coronary CT angiography (coronary CTA) performed prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent placement for predicting in-stent restenosis (ISR) as defined by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 74 patients (60 ± 12 years, 72% male) who had undergone dual-source coronary CTA within 3 months prior to a PCI procedure that included stent placement. Quantitative markers of the target vessel were derived from coronary CTA: Total plaque volume (TPV), calcified and non-calcified plaque volumes (CPV and NCPV), plaque burden (PB in %), remodeling index (RI), and lesion length (LL).

Lower functional connectivity of default mode network in cognitively normal young adults with mutation of APP, presenilins and APOE ε4.

In this study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore the genetic effects of amyloid precursor protein (APP) or presenilins mutation and apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 on the default-mode network (DMN) in cognitively intact young adults (24.1 ± 2.5 years).

A noise-optimized virtual monochromatic reconstruction algorithm improves stent visualization and diagnostic accuracy for detection of in-stent re-stenosis in lower extremity run-off CT angiography.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of noise-optimized virtual monochromatic imaging (VMI+) on stent visualization and accuracy for in-stent re-stenosis at lower extremity dual-energy CT angiography (DE-CTA).

Material And Methods: We evaluated third-generation dual-source DE-CTA studies in 31 patients with prior stent placement. Images were reconstructed with linear blending (F_0.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: Comparison of dual-energy computed tomography and single photon emission computed tomography in canines.

Purpose: To compare diagnostic accuracy between dual-energy CT lung perfused blood volume (Lung PBV) imaging and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in detecting chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) with histopathological results as reference standard in a canine model.

Materials And Methods: Eighteen CTEPH canines were included into this experimental study. All procedures including paracentesis, embolization, scanning, pressure measurement and feeding medicine were repeated each two weeks, until systolic/diastolic pressure in canines was ≥ 30/15 mm Hg or mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 20 mm Hg, and then sacrificed for histopathology examination.

Coronary CT angiography in obese patients using 3(rd) generation dual-source CT: effect of body mass index on image quality.

Objectives: To evaluate the image quality of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in obese patients using a 3(rd) generation, dual-source CT scanner.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 102 overweight and obese patients who had undergone CCTA. Studies were performed with 3(rd) generation dual-source CT, prospectively ECG-triggered acquisition at 120 kV, and automated tube current modulation.