Head CT deep learning model is highly accurate for early infarct estimation.

Non-contrast head CT (NCCT) is extremely insensitive for early (< 3-6 h) acute infarct identification. We developed a deep learning model that detects and delineates suspected early acute infarcts on NCCT, using diffusion MRI as ground truth (3566 NCCT/MRI training patient pairs). The model substantially outperformed 3 expert neuroradiologists on a test set of 150 CT scans of patients who were potential candidates for thrombectomy (60 stroke-negative, 90 stroke-positive middle cerebral artery territory only infarcts), with sensitivity 96% (specificity 72%) for the model versus 61-66% (specificity 90-92%) for the experts; model infarct volume estimates also strongly correlated with those of diffusion MRI (r > 0.

Development and clinical application of a deep learning model to identify acute infarct on magnetic resonance imaging.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability. The ability to quickly identify the presence of acute infarct and quantify the volume on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has important treatment implications. We developed a machine learning model that used the apparent diffusion coefficient and diffusion weighted imaging series.

Adaptation of contrast injection protocol to tube potential for cardiovascular CT.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate and validate adaptation of a cardiovascular CT angiography contrast injection protocol for lower tube potential.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-three patients evaluated for thoracic aortic disease with a 256-MDCT scanner were imaged at 120 kV (group 1) or 100 kV (group 2) with the same contrast protocol (90 mL iopromide 370 mg I/mL at 3.5 mL/s).

Adaptation of the contrast injection protocol to tube potential for cardiovascular computed tomography.

To investigate the adaptation of the contrast injection protocol for lower tube potential at cardiovascular computed tomography (CT) angiography, this study analyzed 83 patients (56 100kV vs. 27 120kV) imaged with a prospectively ECG-triggered axial technique for evaluation of aortic disease on a 256-slice CT scanner from 4/10/12 to 5/23/12. A custom algorithm was used to select tube potential and tube current based on patient size.

Intravascular enhancement with identical iodine delivery rate using different iodine contrast media in a circulation phantom.

Purpose: Both iodine delivery rate (IDR) and iodine concentration are decisive factors for vascular enhancement in computed tomographic angiography. It is unclear, however, whether the use of high-iodine concentration contrast media is beneficial to lower iodine concentrations when IDR is kept identical. This study evaluates the effect of using different iodine concentrations on intravascular attenuation in a circulation phantom while maintaining a constant IDR.

Cardiothoracic CT angiography: current contrast medium delivery strategies.

Objective: Over the last decade, rapid technologic evolution in CT has resulted in improved spatial and temporal resolution and acquisition speed, enabling cardiothoracic CT angiography to become a viable and effective noninvasive alternative in the diagnostic algorithm. These new technologic advances have imposed new challenges for the optimization of contrast medium delivery and image acquisition strategies.

Conclusion: Thorough understanding of contrast medium dynamics is essential for the design of effective acquisition and injection protocols.

Current contrast media delivery strategies for cardiac and pulmonary multidetector-row computed tomography angiography.

Recent advances in multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) have led to substantial improvements in coverage area, acquisition speed, and temporal/spatial resolution, which have strengthened the performance of thoracic and cardiac MDCT angiography but have also imposed new challenges for optimization of contrast medium enhancement and scan acquisition strategies. Understanding contrast media dynamics is fundamental for the design of scan acquisition and injection protocols. This article examines the fundamentals of the physiological and contrast delivery factors that determine the quality of contrast enhancement, emphasizing the modifications required in contrast delivery protocols for optimizing cardiothoracic MDCT angiography with modern-era MDCT scanners.

A personalized and optimal approach for dosing contrast material at coronary computed tomography angiography.

A method for constructing a personalized contrast medium protocol at contrast enhanced, Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) is presented. A one compartment pharmacokinetic model is parameterized and identified with a minimal data set from a test-bolus injection. A direct-search optimization is performed to construct a protocol that achieves target enhancement in the cardiac structures.

Introduction of an individually optimized protocol for the injection of contrast medium for coronary CT angiography.

The aim of this study was to determine whether individually tailored protocols for the injection of contrast medium (CM) result in higher and more homogeneous vascular attenuation throughout the coronary arteries at coronary CT angiography compared with conventional injection protocols using fixed injection parameters. Of 120 patients included in the study, 80 patients were randomized into two groups. Group 1 received 80 mL of CM at 6 mL/s.

Introduction of a dedicated circulation phantom for comprehensive in vitro analysis of intravascular contrast material application.

Objectives: To develop a circulation phantom with physiologic circulation parameters, including a pulmonary and a body circulation for the evaluation of intravascular contrast material (CM) application.

Materials And Methods: The circulation phantom consists of a low-pressure venous system into which CM is injected, a pulmonary circulation, and high-pressure body circulation with an anthropometric aorta and coronary arteries. The phantom is driven by a pulsatile Harvard heart pump.

Patient-specific contrast injection protocols for cardiovascular multidetector row computed tomography.

Objective: To develop patient-specific contrast injections for uniform enhancement of cardiovascular multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) images.

Methods: Sixty-two patients were imaged using electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated spiral MDCT. Thirty patients (group 1) received a uniphasic injection; the remaining 32 patients (group 2) received patient-specific multiphasic injections.