Leaflet thrombosis following transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is increasingly being offered to high-risk patients with symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. Recent reports have suggested a high incidence of subclinical leaflet thrombosis following bioprosthestic aortic valve replacement. We report the frequency and clinical presentation of leaflet thrombosis identified by cardiac CT in patients referred for follow-up contrast enhanced CT angiography following TAVI.

Influence of the coronary calcium score on the ability to rule out coronary artery stenoses by coronary CT angiography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

Background: Recent guidelines for the workup of patients with chest pain and suspected coronary artery disease include coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). However, its diagnostic value may be limited in patients with severe coronary calcification.

Objective: We investigated the relationship between the extent of coronary calcium and the ability of coronary CTA to rule out significant stenoses in a series of consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

Contrast volume reduction using third generation dual source computed tomography for the evaluation of patients prior to transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Objectives: Chronic renal failure is common in patients referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). CT angiography is recommended and provides crucial information prior to TAVI. We evaluated the feasibility of a reduced contrast volume protocol for pre-procedural CT imaging.

Prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch coronary angiography with third-generation dual-source CT at 70 kVp tube voltage: feasibility, image quality, radiation dose, and effect of iterative reconstruction.

Background: Low tube voltage reduces radiation exposure in coronary CT angiography (CTA). Using 70 kVp tube potential has so far not been possible because CT systems were unable to provide sufficiently high tube current with low voltage.

Objective: We evaluated feasibility, image quality (IQ), and radiation dose of coronary CTA using a third-generation dual-source CT system capable of producing 450 mAs tube current at 70 kVp tube voltage.

Automated attenuation-based selection of tube voltage and tube current for coronary CT angiography: reduction of radiation exposure versus a BMI-based strategy with an expert investigator.

Background: Recently developed automated algorithms use the topogram and the corresponding attenuation information before coronary CT angiography (CTA) to allow for an individualized anatomic-based selection of tube current (mAs) and voltage (kV).

Objectives: The value of these algorithms in reducing the associated radiation exposure was evaluated.

Methods: One hundred patients underwent coronary CTA with dual-source CT with prospectively electrocardiogram-triggered axial data acquisition.