Real-time volumetric imaging of human heart without electrocardiographic gating by 256-detector row computed tomography: initial experience.
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.
Kondo
Chisato
C
Department of Radiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. pkondou@rad.twmu.ac.jp
Mori
Shinichiro
S
Endo
Masahiro
M
Kusakabe
Kiyoko
K
Suzuki
Naoki
N
Hattori
Asaki
A
Kusakabe
Masahiro
M
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*
D003287:Contrast Media