title: Real-time volumetric imaging of human heart without electrocardiographic gating by 256-detector row computed tomography: initial experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The feasibility of human cardiac imaging using a prototype 256-detector row cone-beam computed tomography (256CBCT) scanner without electrocardiographic gating was examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two healthy male volunteers were examined by contrast-enhanced 256CBCT. The number of detectors was 912 x 256, each measuring approximately 0.5 mm x 0.5 mm at the center of rotation. The craniocaudal coverage was approximately 100 mm after reconstruction by the Feldkamp-Davis-Kress algorithm. The effective time resolution was 500 milliseconds using a half-scan algorithm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serial enhancement of the left ventricular myocardium was detected. The right and left coronary arteries at proximal and distal segments were depicted without significant blurring. Although the left ventricular wall motion on cine images was not smooth over time, it was possible to measure ventricular volume and ejection fraction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using the 256CBCT, it was possible to visualize the coronary arteries, myocardial perfusion, and ventricular contraction simultaneously during a single acquisition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. pkondou@rad.twmu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Chisato
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.forename: Shinichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Kiyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kusakabe
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Asaki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hattori
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kusakabe
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003287:Contrast Media; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media