Detection of small vessels with electron beam computed tomographic angiography using 1.5 and 3 mm collimator protocols.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of scanner collimation on the ability to detect small cardiac vessels using electron beam CT coronary angiography (EBA).


METHODS
EBA scans from 40 patients who underwent study on two separate occasions with 3 mm (initial scan) and 1.5 mm (follow-up scan) collimation protocols were analyzed. Vessels of <2 mm in diameter were identified.


RESULTS
The 1.5 mm collimation allowed 3-D visualization of 129 vessels<2 mm in diameter, while 3 mm collimation only allowed visualization of 89 vessels (p<0.001). The right coronary artery branches and distal LAD segments though were not displayed satisfactorily in almost half of the 3-D studies with either protocol.


CONCLUSIONS
There was significant improvement in detection of small cardiac vessels with a 1.5 mm collimation EBA protocol compared to a 3 mm protocol. Both protocols though were insufficient for reliable visualization of the right coronary artery branches and distal LAD segments.
Mao
Songshou
S
Division of Cardiology, Harbor-UCLA Research and Education Institute, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.
Shinbane
Jerold S
JS
Oudiz
Ronald J
RJ
Flores
Ferdinand
F
Chau
Alex
A
Liu
Stephen
S
Wang
Shaojun
S
Gao
Yanlin
Y
Budoff
Matthew J
MJ
D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*