Optimization of contrast material administration for coronary CT angiography using a software-based test-bolus evaluation algorithm.

Objectives: To evaluate the benefit of a prototype circulation time-based test bolus evaluation algorithm for the individualized optimal timing of contrast media (CM) delivery in patients undergoing coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

Methods: Thirty-two patients (62 ± 16 years) underwent CCTA using a prototype bolus evaluation tool to determine the optimal time-delay for CM administration. Contrast attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), objective, and subjective image quality were evaluated by two independent radiologists.

Non-invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the evaluation of acute chest pain - Concepts and first experiences.

Objective: To evaluate 30 day rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) utilizing cCTA and FFR for evaluation of patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with acute chest pain.

Materials And Methods: Patients between the ages of 18-95 years who underwent clinically indicated cCTA and FFR in the evaluation of acute chest pain in the emergency department were retrospectively evaluated for 30 day MACE, repeat presentation/admission for chest pain, revascularization, and additional testing.

Results: A total of 59 patients underwent CCTA and subsequent FFR for the evaluation of acute chest pain in the ED over the enrollment period.

Evaluating a New Contrast Media Injection System in Coronary CT Angiography.

Purpose: To evaluate a new contrast media (CM) injection system in patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods: Seventy-one consecutive patients (33 men and 38 women, mean age 59.0 ± 14.

Evaluation of a Tube Voltage-Tailored Contrast Medium Injection Protocol for Coronary CT Angiography: Results From the Prospective VOLCANIC Study.

The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate, using software support, the feasibility and the quantitative and qualitative image quality parameters of a tube voltage-tailored contrast medium (CM) application protocol for patient-specific injection during coronary CT angiography (CCTA). In the Voltage-Based Contrast Media Adaptation in Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (VOLCANIC-CTA) study, a single-center trial, 120 patients referred for CCTA were prospectively assigned to a tube voltage-tailored CM injection protocol. Automated tube voltage levels were selected in 10-kV intervals and ranged from 70 to 130 kV, and the iodine delivery rate (IDR) was adapted to the tube voltage level using dedicated software.

Individualized coronary calcium scoring at any tube voltage using a kV-independent reconstruction algorithm.

Purpose: We prospectively investigate the feasibility of a patient specific automated tube voltage selection (ATVS)-based coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) protocol, using a kV-independent reconstruction algorithm, to achieve significant dose reductions while maintaining the overall cardiac risk classification.

Methods: Forty-three patients (mean age, 61.8 ± 9.

Impact of machine learning-based coronary computed tomography angiography fractional flow reserve on treatment decisions and clinical outcomes in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

Objectives: This study investigated the impact of machine learning (ML)-based fractional flow reserve derived from computed tomography (FFR) compared to invasive coronary angiography (ICA) for therapeutic decision-making and patient outcome in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: One thousand one hundred twenty-one consecutive patients with stable chest pain who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) followed ICA within 90 days between January 2007 and December 2016 were included in this retrospective study. Medical records were reviewed for the endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs).

Combined Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Low-Attenuation Renal Lesions Improves Identification of Renal Malignancy on Noncontrast Computed Tomography.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess renal lesions measuring less than 20 Hounsfield units (HU) on noncontrast computed tomography (NCT).

Methods: Twenty-one (18.1%) of 116 consecutive pathologically proven renal cell carcinomas measured less than 20 HU on NCT and were compared with 40 confirmed benign cysts also measuring less than 20 HU.

Myocardial extracellular volume fraction to differentiate healthy from cardiomyopathic myocardium using dual-source dual-energy CT.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dual-energy CT (DECT)-based iodine quantification to estimate myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) fraction in patients with and without cardiomyopathy (CM), as well as to assess its ability to distinguish healthy myocardial tissue from cardiomyopathic, with the goal of defining a threshold ECV value for disease detection.

Methods: Ten subjects free of heart disease and 60 patients with CM (mean age 66.4 ± 9.

Impact of Coronary Computerized Tomography Angiography-Derived Plaque Quantification and Machine-Learning Computerized Tomography Fractional Flow Reserve on Adverse Cardiac Outcome.

This study investigated the impact of coronary CT angiography (cCTA)-derived plaque markers and machine-learning-based CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) to identify adverse cardiac outcome. Data of 82 patients (60 ± 11 years, 62% men) who underwent cCTA and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were analyzed in this single-center retrospective, institutional review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant study. Follow-up was performed to record major adverse cardiac events (MACE).