Fabian Morsbach, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Sonja Gordic MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Daniela Barbara Husarik MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Thomas Frauenfelder MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Bernhard Schmidt PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Siemens AG

Thomas Allmendinger, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Siemens AG

Hatem Alkadhi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sebastian Leschka MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate image quality, maximal heart rate allowing for diagnostic imaging, and radiation dose of turbo high-pitch dual-source coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

In the first part, a cardiac motion phantom simulating heart rates (HR) from 60-90bpm in 5bpm-steps was scanned on 3rd generation dual-source 192-slice CT (prospective ECG-triggering,pitch 3.2;rotation time 250 msec). Subjective image quality regarding the presence of motion artifacts was interpreted by two readers on a 4-point scale (1:excellent;4:non-diagnostic). Objective image quality was assessed by calculating distortion vectors. In the second part, 20 consecutive patients (median 50years) undergoing clinically indicated CCTA were included.

In the phantom study, image quality was rated diagnostic up to the HR75 bpm, with object distortion being 1mm or less. Distortion increased above 1mm at HR of 80- 90 bpm. Patients had a mean HR of 66 ± 9 bpm (range: 47-78 bpm). Coronary segments were of diagnostic image quality for all patients with HR up to 73bpm. Average effective radiation dose in patients was 0.6±0.3mSv.

Our combined phantom and patient study indicates that CCTA with turbo high-pitch 3rd generation dual-source 192-slice CT can be performed at HR up to 75bpm while maintaining diagnostic image quality, being associated with an average radiation dose of 0.6 ± 0.3 mSv.

Results of this work can be translated to patients who will benefit from low dose cardiac CCTA up to heart rates of 75 bpm.

Morsbach, F, Gordic, S, Husarik, D, Frauenfelder, T, Schmidt, B, Allmendinger, T, Alkadhi, H, Leschka, S, Performance of Turbo High-Pitch Dual-Source CT for Coronary CT Angiography: First Ex-Vivo and Patient Experience.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14009253.html