Patricia M. Carrascosa MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research support, Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV

Carlos Capunay MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Alejandro Deviggiano MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Alejandro Goldsmit MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marcelo Bettinotti, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jorge Manuel Carrascosa MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mario J. Garcia, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evalute the image quality and contrast enhancement of gadolinium-enhanced 64 row MDCT coronary angiography for the assessment of coronary artery disease.

Twenty three patients with suspected coronary artery disease were studied with gadolinium-enhanced 64 row MDCT coronary angiography ( Brilliance 64, Philips Medical Systems). The technical parameters used were 64x0.625 mm collimation, 0.675mm slice thickness, 0.3mm reconstruction interval, 0.2 pitch, 120kV, 800mAs. A maximum dose of up to 0.4 mmoL/kg of body weight of gadolinium (gadopentetate dimeglumine) was injected at a rate of 6mL/sec followed by 40mL of saline injection at a rate of 4 mL/sec. Scanning was triggered once contrast material reached a density equal to or greater than 80 HU at the left atrium. Oral beta-blockers were administered to all patients whose heart rate was above 60 bpm 24 to 48 hours prior the study. Three measurements were determined in each patient at the level of the ascending aorta (initiation of the scan), aortic root (origin of the left main coronary artery) and the descending aorta (cardiac base). Image quality was classified as:1) Excellent if there was adequate coronary opacification with no artefacts; 2) Good: adequate coronary opacification with artefacts in <2 coronary segments; 3) Average: poor coronary opacification with artefacts in < 2 segments; and 4) Inadequate: poor coronary opacification with artefacts > 2 segments.  

Average heart rate during the scan was 53 bpm. There was no patients with poor image quality. There were 16 patients (69,6%) with excellent, 4 patients (17,4%) with good and 3 patients (13%) with average quality.The mean level of enhancement was 196+/-44.5 HU at the ascending aorta, 199+/-30.1 HU at the aortic root and 178.3+/-33.8 at the descending aorta.

Gadolinium contrast allows to obtain adequate enhancement to perform a diagnostic coronary evaluation during 64 row MDCT.

Gadolinium enhanced 64-row CT coronary angiography could be an alternative to rule out coronary stenosis in patients with contraindications to iodine contrast. Contrast enhancement and image quality.

Carrascosa, P, Capunay, C, Deviggiano, A, Goldsmit, A, Bettinotti, M, Carrascosa, J, Garcia, M, Gadolinium 64 Row MDCT Coronary Angiography: Analysis of Contrast- enhancement and Image Quality.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9014333.html