Evaluation of coronary artery image quality with knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction.

Rationale And Objectives: To evaluate knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction (IMR) to improve image quality and reduce radiation dose in coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA).

Materials And Methods: We evaluated 45 consecutive cCTA studies, including 25 studies performed with an 80% systolic dose reduction using tube current modulation (TCM). Each study was reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (iDose(4)), and IMR in a diastolic phase.

The relative effect of vendor variability in CT perfusion results: a method comparison study.

Objective: There are known interoperator, intraoperator, and intervendor software differences that can influence the reproducibility of quantitative CT perfusion values. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative impact of operator and software differences in CT perfusion variability.

Materials And Methods: CT perfusion imaging data were selected for 11 patients evaluated for suspected ischemic stroke.

Aortic valve bypass for aortic stenosis: imaging appearances on multidetector CT.

Object: Aortic valve bypass is a technique used in high-risk patients with critical aortic stenosis that consists of placement of a conduit from the left ventricular apex to descending aorta. We describe the imaging appearances of this apicoaortic conduit on multidetector CT (MDCT).

Methods: Each patient underwent retrospective ECG-gated MDCT using a 16-detector-row scanner several days after placement of an apicoaortic conduit.

Assessment of chest pain in the emergency room: what is the role of multidetector CT?

Chest pain is one of the most frequent complaints for patients seen in the emergency department. The current article describes the clinical stratification of patients who present to the emergency department with chest pain and discusses imaging options and analysis for these patients. It reviews conventional imaging approaches to assessing chest pain including chest radiography and stress testing.

Chest pain evaluation in the emergency department: can MDCT provide a comprehensive evaluation?

Objective: The purpose of our study was to determine whether MDCT can provide a comprehensive assessment of cardiac and noncardiac causes of chest pain in stable emergency department patients.

Subjects And Methods: Patients with chest pain who presented to the emergency department without definitive findings of acute myocardial infarction based on history, physical examination, and ECG were recruited immediately after the initial clinical assessment. For each patient, the emergency department physician was asked whether a CT scan would normally have been ordered on clinical grounds (e.

Coronary artery bypass grafts: assessment with multidetector CT in the early and late postoperative settings.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is the standard of care in the treatment of advanced coronary artery disease. It is well known that the long-term clinical outcome after myocardial revascularization depends on the patency of the bypass grafts. In the past, invasive coronary angiography was used to assess the status of the grafts and check for graft occlusion.

Anomalous coronary arteries in adults: depiction at multi-detector row CT angiography.

Purpose: To retrospectively determine the imaging features of anomalous coronary arteries depicted at multi-detector row computed tomographic (CT) angiography in 18 patients seen at four institutions.

Materials And Methods: Eighteen patients underwent imaging with a four- or 16-section multi-detector row CT unit by using retrospective electrocardiographic (ECG) gating after infusion of 120-150 mL of intravenous contrast material. Section thicknesses of 0.

Virchow triad, but not use of an aortic connector device, predicts early graft failure after off-pump coronary bypass.

The risk of early thrombosis of coronary artery bypass (CAB) grafts may be increased after off-pump CAB, particularly after the use of an aortic connector device (ACD) to perform the proximal aortosaphenous anastomosis. We have been investigating tools that quantify the risk of early vein graft thrombosis after off-pump CAB on the basis of the Virchow triad of hypercoagulability, endothelial disease, and low conduit flow. These tools were applied in this prospective trial of a heterogeneous group of patients with varying degrees of aortic disease and who received the Symmetry ACD.