Image quality and diagnostic value of ultra low-voltage, ultra low-contrast coronary CT angiography.

Objective: To explore the image quality (IQ) and diagnostic value of 70 kVp turbo high-pitch coronary CT angiography (THP-CCTA) using automated tube voltage selection (ATVS) and 30 mL of low-concentration contrast agent.

Methods: Patients who underwent 70 kVp THP-CCTA using ATVS with 30 mL of contrast agent (group A) were prospectively enrolled, and those who underwent conventional CCTA (100/120 kVp, prospective sequential mode with 65-75 mL of contrast agent) (group B) were retrospectively selected for study. IQ was assessed subjectively on a 5-point scale, and diagnostic value was assessed based on invasive coronary angiography as the gold standard.

Accuracy of cardiac CT in evaluating severity of left atrial appendage spontaneous echo contrast: comparison with transesophageal echocardiography.

To investigate the capacity of biphasic cardiac CT (CCT) for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of different grades of left atrial appendage spontaneous echo contrast (LAASEC). The study included 267 inpatients with confirmed atrial fibrillation who underwent both CCT and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). CT numbers for LAA, ascending aorta (AA), and left atrium (LA) were identified, and ROC curves for LAA, LAA/AA, and LAA/LA were plotted.

Ascending aortic distensibility and target organ damage in primary hypertension without diabetes.

To investigate the relationship between ascending aortic distensibility (AAD) and hypertensive target organ damage (TOD) and its potential value in prediction. One hundred and sixty seven primary hypertension inpatients who underwent coronary CTA examination were enrolled into our study. Retrospective ECG-triggering scanning mode were applied and the images were reconstructed every 5% phase in the entire R-R interval.

Ascending Aortic Elasticity and Related Risk Factors Study on Prehypertension Patients.

Background: A new feature of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) is to estimate ascending aortic elasticity without additional cost, but its applicable benefit for prehypertension patients is still unclear. The aim of this study is to discuss the characteristic of ascending aortic elasticity for specific prehypertension patients and its risk factors.

Methods: Coronary CTA examinations of 398 participants were performed using a 128 slicer CT scanner.

Use of Dual-Source Computed Tomography to Evaluate Renal Cortical Perfusion in Patients With Essential Hypertension Without Diabetes: Preliminary Results.

Objectives: To assess renal cortical perfusion parameter changes using computed tomography (CT) renal perfusion examination in patients with essential hypertension (EH), especially those with EH-related target organ damage (TOD), and to correlate renal perfusion parameters with clinical and laboratory data.

Methods: Consecutive patients with EH (without exclusion criteria) and healthy controls underwent 128-slice dual-source CT perfusion imaging. Quantitative perfusion analysis of renal cortex parameters [blood flow (BF), blood volume, time to peak, and mean transit time] was performed.

Prospective evaluation of unsuspected pulmonary embolism on coronary computed tomographic angiography.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze patients with unsuspected pulmonary embolism (PE) in coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) and to draw some conclusions regarding their characteristics.

Methods: All patients suspected of coronary heart disease undergoing CCTA between May 2006 and December 2010 were prospectively analyzed. Patients with previous or suspected current PE were excluded.

[Value and limitations of multislice spiral CT in diagnosing coronary artery stenoses].

Objective: To evaluate the value and limitations of multislice spiral CT in diagnosing coronary artery stenoses.

Methods: A total of 65 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease were examined by multislice spiral CT (retrospectively ECG-gating; 0.5 s rotation; one-sector reconstruction algorithm; intravenous contrast agent) and the results were compared with quantitative coronary angiography.