Matthias Stefan May, Presenter: Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG

Wolfgang Wust MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michael Uder MD, Abstract Co-Author: Speakers Bureau, Bracco Group Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG Research Grant, Siemens AG

Michael Marcus Lell MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research Grant, Siemens AG Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG Research Grant, Bayer AG Speakers Bureau, Bayer AG Research Consultant, Bracco Group

oliver rompel, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the best cardiac phase for visualization of the coronaries in children younger than 1 year undergoing Cardiac High Pitch Computed Tomography (CT). The study applies to the declaration of Helsinki.

Cardiac CT was performed on a second generation Dual-Source CT in 95 Patients (median age 31 days, range 1-336 days) with a high-pitch protocol (p=3,2) at 80 kVp, automatic exposure control and a total collimation of 2x64x0,6mm. The ECG-trace was used as trigger for automated heart-phase (HP) selection. Retrospective data analysis was carried out in dependence of the HP (<20%/n=9, <30%/n=17, <40%/n=10, <50%/n=26, <60%/n=14, <70%/n=13, <80%/n=6). Motion artifacts in the coronary arteries were recorded for the proximal and distal segments on a 5-point Likert scale by two radiologists.

Mean heart rate was 137 bpm (&plusmn; 27 bpm) and was not statistically different between the HP-groups (p=0.629). Image quality of the coronary arteries was best at &lt;50% and worst below 20% of the HP for both, the proximal and distal segments (p&lt;0.001). Visualization was still good and without statistically significant differences at &lt;40% for the proximal (p=0.13) and at &lt;40 and &lt;60% for the distal segments (p=0.27/0.06). Inter rater agreement was substantial (&kappa;=0.701).

Pediatric cardiac CT should be performed at 40-50% of the cardiac cycle in children below 1 year for best visualization of the coronaries.

Technical settings undergoing pediatric cardiac CT should be optimized to obtain stable images at 40-50% of the HP.

May, M, Wust, W, Uder, M, Lell, M, rompel, o, Cardiac Phase-dependent Image Quality of the Coronaries in Pediatric Cardiac High Pitch Computed Tomography.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14013923.html