Virtual Monoenergetic Imaging of Thoracoabdominal Computed Tomography Angiography on Photon-Counting Detector Computertomography: Assessment of Image Quality and Leveraging Low-keV Series for Salvaging Suboptimal Contrast Acquisitions.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of image improvement of ECG-gated, high-pitch computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the thoracoabdominal aorta before transaortic valve replacement (TAVR) on a novel dual-source photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) in the setting of suboptimal low-contrast attenuation.

Methods: Continuously examined patients who underwent an ECG-gated, high-pitch CTA of the aorta on a PCD-CT with a contrast decrease of at least 50% between the ascending aorta and the common femoral arteries (CFA) were included. Patient characteristics were documented.

Evaluation of ECG-Gated, High-Pitch Thoracoabdominal Angiographies With Dual-Source Photon-Counting Detector Computed Tomography.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiation dose, image quality, and the potential of virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI) reconstructions of high-pitch computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the thoracoabdominal aorta on a dual-source photon-counting detector-CT (PCD-CT) in comparison with an energy-integrating detector-CT (EID-CT), with a special focus on low-contrast attenuation.

Methods: Consecutive patients being referred for an electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated, high-pitch CTA of the thoracoabdominal aorta prior to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and examined on the PCD-CT, were included in this prospective single-center study. For comparison, a retrospective patient group with ECG-gated, high-pitch CTA examinations of the thoracoabdominal aorta on EID-CT with a comparable scan protocol was matched for gender, body mass index, height, and age.

Treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia between 2010 and 2020 - a German nation-wide study.

Background: Aim of this study was to analyze long-term trends of hospitalizations, treatment regimen and in-hospital mortality of in-patients with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) over the past decade and effects of the SARS-CoV2-pandemic.

Methods: We analyzed fully anonymized data from the German Federal Statistical Office of patients with AMI between 2010 and 2020. Besides descriptive analyses of age, gender, in-hospital mortality, comorbidity burden and treatment regimen, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent variables associated with in-hospital mortality and different treatment.