Accuracy and reliability of quantitative measurements in coronary arteries by multi-slice computed tomography: experimental and initial clinical results.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the accuracy of non-invasive measurements within coronary arteries by multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT). We present experimental as well as clinical data.


METHODS
Silicon tubes simulating coronary arteries (outer diameter 6 mm, lumen diameter within stenotic area 2 mm) were used for experimental studies. Clinical data were derived from 15 patients in whom vessel diameters were assessed by MSCT, intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS) and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). MSCT were performed in a Somatom Volume Zoom(trade mark)CT system (Siemens, Forchheim, Germany) at 2 collimated slice widths (2.5 mm, 1.0 mm).


RESULTS
Outer silicon tube diameters were overestimated by MSCT (6.56 mm +/- 0.32 mm). All measurements revealed significantly better results on 1.0 collimation compared to 2.5 mm collimation (outer diameter: 6.36 mm +/- 0.22 mm vs 6.76 mm +/- 0.27 mm, P < 0.0001; lumen diameters: 1.83 mm +/- 0.14 mm vs 1.51 mm +/- 0.19 mm, P < 0.0001). The comparison of vessel diameters within human coronary arteries revealed comparable results between ICUS and MSCT (4.89 mm +/- 0.67 mm vs 4.91 mm +/- 0.71 mm, P = 0.79, r = 0.79, P < 0.0001). QCA-measurements showed significantly lower results (3.67 +/- 0.71, P < 0.0001, r = 0.62, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Experimental as well as initial clinical results indicate acceptable reliability and accuracy of quantitative measurements by MSCT, when using thin collimated slice widths. Partial volume effects lead to a systematic overestimation of vessel size. MSCT has the potential to become an important non-invasive diagnostic tool in patients with coronary artery disease.
Schroeder
S
S
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Eberhard-Karls-University, Tuebingen, Germany. Schroeder@t-online.de
Kopp
A F
AF
Ohnesorge
B
B
Flohr
T
T
Baumbach
A
A
Kuettner
A
A
Herdeg
C
C
Karsch
K R
KR
Claussen
C D
CD
D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*