Τρίτη 2 Ιανουαρίου 2018

Heavily Calcified Coronary Arteries: Advanced Calcium Subtraction Improves Luminal Visualization and Diagnostic Confidence in Dual-Energy Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography

imageObjectives The aim of this study was to evaluate a prototype dual-energy computed tomography calcium subtraction algorithm and its impact on luminal visualization in patients with heavily calcified coronary arteries. Materials and Methods Twenty-nine patients (62% male; mean age, 64 ± 7 years) who had undergone dual-energy coronary computed tomography angiography were retrospectively included in this institutional review board–approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant study. Linearly blended (M_0.6) and calcium-subtracted images were reconstructed. Two independent observers assessed luminal visualization of the coronary arteries in a segment-based analysis, subjective image quality, and diagnostic confidence using 5-point Likert scales. Contrast-to-noise ratios for both data sets were calculated. Wilcoxon testing and Cohen's κ were used for statistical comparisons. Results Calcium-subtracted image series showed improved lumen visualization of the coronary arteries (P = 0.008), with excellent interreader agreement (mean score, 3.3; κ = 0.82), compared with M_0.6 series (mean score, 2.9; κ = 0.77). The calcium subtraction algorithm improved diagnostic confidence compared with the M_0.6 reconstructions (mean scores, 4.0 and 3.1, respectively; all P ≤ 0.002). The image quality analysis showed no significant differences between calcium-subtracted and M_0.6 data sets (subjectively: mean scores, 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, P = 0.442; objectively: mean contrast-to-noise ratio, 37.0 and 38.2, respectively, P = 0.733). Conclusions A prototype algorithm for calcium subtraction improves coronary lumen visualization and diagnostic confidence in patients with heavy coronary calcifications without differences in conventional subjective and objective measures of image quality.

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