Diagnostic performance of the quantification of myocardium at risk from MPI SPECT/CTA 2G fusion for detecting obstructive coronary disease: A multicenter trial.

Background: The effective non-invasive identification of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its proper referral for invasive treatment are still unresolved issues. We evaluated our quantification of myocardium at risk (MAR) from our second generation 3D MPI/CTA fusion framework for the detection and localization of obstructive coronary disease.

Methods: Studies from 48 patients who had rest/stress MPI, CTA, and ICA were analyzed from 3 different institutions.

Diagnostic performance of fusion of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and computed tomography coronary angiography.

Background: We evaluated the incremental diagnostic value of fusion images of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) over MPI alone or MPI and CTA side-by-side to identify obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD > 50% stenosis) using invasive coronary angiography (ICA) as the gold standard.

Methods: 50 subjects (36 men; 56 +/- 11 years old) underwent rest-stress MPI and CTA within 12-26 days of each other. CTAs were performed with multi-detector CT-scanners (31 on 64-slice; and 19 on 16-slice).

Calculation of coronary age using calcium scores in multiple ethnicities.

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) accumulation, a marker of atherosclerosis burden, differs significantly among patients of different ethnicities. It has been proposed that CAC scores can be used to assess the number of life years lost or gained by an individual with a given amount of coronary artery calcium. Therefore, we sought to develop a method to calculate the coronary age of an individual based on the extent of CAC in this subject compared to that of individuals of the same race, age and sex.

Understanding the heart: CT and MRI for coronary heart disease.

Methods of noninvasive evaluation of coronary artery disease-including multidetector row computed tomography, electron beam computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear studies (single photon emission computed tomography, positron emission tomography)-are reviewed.

Visualization techniques in computed tomographic coronary angiography.

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scans can produce enormous datasets (>3,000 images), making traditional axial image interpretation un-workable. Previously existing and new techniques including multiplanar reformats, volume rendering, maximum intensity projections, curved multiplanar reformats, and "4D" (time-resolved) methods have all been used to increase diagnostic accuracy and reduce interpretation times. The methods and applications of these techniques to cardiac anatomy will be reviewed and discussed with an eye toward practical film interpretation.

Effect of contrast concentration, tube potential and reconstruction kernels on MDCT evaluation of coronary stents: an in vitro study.

Introduction: To evaluate effect of different kVp, reconstruction kernels and contrast concentrations on stent luminal diameter measurements and luminal contrast attenuation values.

Methods: Two metallic coronary stents (2.75 mm and 3.