Journal of cardiovascular computed tomography
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J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr · Mar 2016
Impact of monochromatic coronary computed tomography angiography from single-source dual-energy CT on coronary stenosis quantification.
In coronary CT angiography (CTA), stenosis evaluation is limited by artifacts such as blooming. Monochromatic reconstructions from single-source dual-energy coronary CTA have shown to reduce image noise and improve image quality. ⋯ The use of monochromatic reconstructions improves the overall accuracy of lesion assessment. Combining reconstructions at 90 keV for calcified and partly calcified lesions and at 140 keV for noncalcified lesions yielded optimal results. Thus monochromatic reconstruction bears the potential to improve accuracy of coronary CTA.
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J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr · Jan 2016
Comparative StudyFinding the optimal dose reduction and iterative reconstruction level for coronary calcium scoring.
To assess the maximally achievable computed tomography (CT) dose reduction for coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring with iterative reconstruction (IR) by using phantom-experiments and a systematical within-patient study. ⋯ IR allows for CAC-scoring radiation dose reductions of up to 80% resulting in effective doses between 0.15 and 0.18 mSv. At these dose-levels, reclassification-rates remain within 15% if the highest IR-level is applied.
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J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr · Nov 2015
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Observational StudySafety and efficiency of outpatient versus emergency department-based coronary CT angiography for evaluation of patients with potential ischemic chest pain.
While coronary CT angiography (coronary CTA) may be comparable to standard care in diagnosing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in emergency department (ED) chest pain patients, it has traditionally been obtained prior to ED discharge and a strategy of delayed outpatient coronary CTA following an ED visit has not been evaluated. ⋯ In ED chest pain patients with a low risk of ACS, performing coronary CTA as an outpatient may be a safe strategy.
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J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr · Nov 2015
Observational StudyEpicardial adipose tissue and coronary artery calcium predict incident myocardial infarction and death in HIV-infected patients.
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) have been associated with incident coronary artery disease (CAD) and all-cause mortality in the general population. Their prognostic impact in HIV is unknown. ⋯ In this observational cohort of HIV patients, EAT and CAC were independent predictors of hard outcomes after a median follow-up of approximately 3 years.
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J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr · Nov 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyComputed tomography-based high-risk coronary plaque score to predict acute coronary syndrome among patients with acute chest pain - Results from the ROMICAT II trial.
Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) can be used to detect and quantitatively assess high-risk plaque features. ⋯ The ROMICAT score derived from semi-automated quantitative measurements of high-risk plaque features was an independent predictor of ACS during the index hospitalization and was incremental to gender and presence of ≥ 50% stenosis.