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01-01-2013 | Cardiac

CT evaluation of coronary artery stents with iterative image reconstruction: improvements in image quality and potential for radiation dose reduction

Authors: Ullrich Ebersberger, Francesco Tricarico, U. Joseph Schoepf, Philipp Blanke, J. Reid Spears, Garrett W. Rowe, William T. Halligan, Thomas Henzler, Fabian Bamberg, Alexander W. Leber, Ellen Hoffmann, Paul Apfaltrer

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Objectives

Comparison of coronary artery stent assessment with cardiac CT angiography (cCTA) using traditional filtered back projection (FBP) and sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE), in both full- and half-radiation dose image data.

Methods

Dual-source cCTA studies of 37 implanted stents were reconstructed at full- and half-radiation dose with FBP and SAFIRE. Half-dose data were based on projections from one DSCT detector. In-stent noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and stent-lumen attenuation increase ratio (SAIR) were measured and image quality graded. Stent volumes were measured to gauge severity of beam hardening artefacts.

Results

Full-dose SAFIRE reconstructions were superior to full-dose FBP vis-à-vis in-stent noise (21.2 ± 6.6 vs. 35.7 ± 17.5; P < 0.05), SNR (22.1 ± 8.6 vs. 14.3 ± 6.7; P < 0.05), SAIR (19.6 ± 17.6 vs. 33.4 ± 20.4%; P < 0.05), and image quality (4.2 ± 0.86 vs. 3.5 ± 1.0; P < 0.05). Stent volumes were lower measured with SAFIRE (119.9 ± 53.7 vs. 129.8 ± 65.0 mm³; P > 0.05). Comparing half-dose SAFIRE with full-dose FBP, in-stent noise (26.7 ± 13.0 vs. 35.7 ± 17.5; P < 0.05) and SNR (18.2 ± 6.9 vs. 14.3 ± 6.7; P < 0.05) improved significantly. SAIR (31.6 ± 24.3 vs. 33.4 ± 20.4%; P > 0.05), stent volume (129.6 ± 57.3 vs. 129.8 ± 65.0 mm³; P > 0.05), and image quality (3.5 ± 1.0 vs. 3.7 ± 1.1; P > 0.05) did not differ. Radiation dose decreased from 8.7 ± 5.2 to 4.3 ± 2.6 mSv.

Conclusions

Iterative reconstruction significantly improves imaging of coronary artery stents by CT compared with FBP, even with half-radiation-dose data.

Key Points

• Computed tomography (CT) is becoming an increasingly important investigation for cardiac problems.

• Iterative CT reconstruction techniques significantly improve coronary artery stent evaluation.

• Iterative reconstruction has the potential to reduce radiation dose requirements.

• Improved stent visualisation detects complications better, further reducing the need for catheterisation.

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Title: CT evaluation of coronary artery stents with iterative image reconstruction: improvements in image quality and potential for radiation dose reduction
Authors: Ullrich Ebersberger
Francesco Tricarico
U. Joseph Schoepf
Philipp Blanke
J. Reid Spears
Garrett W. Rowe
William T. Halligan
Thomas Henzler
Fabian Bamberg
Alexander W. Leber
Ellen Hoffmann
Paul Apfaltrer
Publication date: 01-01-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2580-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

CT evaluation of coronary artery stents with iterative image reconstruction: improvements in image quality and potential for radiation dose reduction

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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