title: Dual-source CT coronary imaging in heart transplant recipients: image quality and optimal reconstruction interval.
abstract: The image quality and optimal reconstruction interval for coronary arteries in heart transplant recipients undergoing non-invasive dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) coronary angiography was evaluated. Twenty consecutive heart transplant recipients who underwent DSCT coronary angiography were included (19 male, one female; mean age 63.1 +/- 10.7 years). Data sets were reconstructed in 5% steps from 30% to 80% of the R-R interval. Two blinded independent observers assessed the image quality of each coronary segments using a five-point scale (from 0 = not evaluative to 4 = excellent quality). A total of 289 coronary segments in 20 heart transplant recipients were evaluated. Mean heart rate during the scan was 89.1 +/- 10.4 bpm. At the best reconstruction interval, diagnostic image quality (score > or = 2) was obtained in 93.4% of the coronary segments (270/289) with a mean image quality score of 3.04 +/- 0.63. Systolic reconstruction intervals provided better image quality scores than diastolic reconstruction intervals (overall mean quality scores obtained with the systolic and diastolic reconstructions 3.03 +/- 1.06 and 2.73 +/- 1.11, respectively; P < 0.001). Different systolic reconstruction intervals (35%, 40%, 45% of RR interval) did not yield to significant differences in image quality scores for the coronary segments (P = 0.74). Reconstructions obtained at the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle allowed excellent diagnostic image quality coronary angiograms in heart transplant recipients undergoing DSCT coronary angiography.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Clínica Universitaria, Universidad de Navarra, Avenida Pio XII, 36, 31008, Pamplona, Spain. bastarrika@unav.es
authors.forename: Gorka
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bastarrika
authors.forename: Carlo N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: De Cecco
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arraiza
authors.forename: Matias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ubilla
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mastrobuoni
authors.forename: Jesús C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Pueyo
authors.forename: Gregorio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rábago
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*