title: Physics of cardiac imaging with multiple-row detector CT.
abstract: Cardiac imaging with multiple-row detector computed tomography (CT) has become possible due to rapid advances in CT technologies. Images with high temporal and spatial resolution can be obtained with multiple-row detector CT scanners; however, the radiation dose associated with cardiac imaging is high. Understanding the physics of cardiac imaging with multiple-row detector CT scanners allows optimization of cardiac CT protocols in terms of image quality and radiation dose. Knowledge of the trade-offs between various scan parameters that affect image quality--such as temporal resolution, spatial resolution, and pitch--is the key to optimized cardiac CT protocols, which can minimize the radiation risks associated with these studies. Factors affecting temporal resolution include gantry rotation time, acquisition mode, and reconstruction method; factors affecting spatial resolution include detector size and reconstruction interval. Cardiac CT has the potential to become a reliable tool for noninvasive diagnosis and prevention of cardiac and coronary artery disease.
authors.affiliation: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287-0856, USA. mmahesh@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Mahadevappa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahesh
authors.forename: Dianna D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Cody
mesh_terms: D001703:Biophysics / Q000379:methods; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*