Optimization of acquisition and contrast injection protocol for C-arm CT imaging in transcatheter aortic valve implantation: initial experience in a swine model.

To determine the optimal C-arm computed tomography (CT) protocol for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in swine. In 6 swine, C-arm CT was performed using 5-s ungated acquisition during sinus rhythm with aortic root (Method 1) or peripheral (Method 2) injection, and during rapid ventricular pacing with root injection (Method 3). Additionally, 24-s ECG-gated acquisitions were performed during sinus rhythm with root (Method 4) or peripheral (Method 5) injection.

Feasibility of dual-energy CT in the arterial phase: Imaging after endovascular aortic repair.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate replacing unenhanced and arterial single-energy CT acquisitions after endovascular aneurysm repair with one dual-energy CT arterial acquisition.

Subjects And Methods: Thirty patients underwent arterial dual-energy CT (80 and 140 kVp) and venous single-energy CT (120 kVp) after endovascular aneurysm repair, and the radiation doses were compared with those of a standard triple-phase protocol. Both virtual unenhanced and arterial images were generated with dual-energy CT.

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.