Dual-source CT for visualization of the coronary arteries in heart transplant patients with high heart rates.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of dual-source CT images of the coronary arteries in heart transplant recipients with high heart rates.


METHODS
Contrast-enhanced dual-source CT coronary angiography was performed on 23 heart transplant recipients (20 men, three women; mean age, 61.1 +/- 12.8 years). Data sets were reconstructed in 5% steps from 30% to 80% of the R-R interval. Two blinded independent readers using a 5-point scale (0, not evaluative; 4, excellent quality) assessed the quality of images of coronary segments.


RESULTS
The mean heart rate during scanning was 89.2 +/- 10.4 beats/min. Interobserver agreement on the quality of images of the whole coronary tree was a kappa value of 0.78 and for selection of the optimal reconstruction interval was a kappa value of 0.82. The optimal reconstruction interval was systole in 17 (74%) of the 23 of heart transplant recipients. At the best reconstruction interval, diagnostic image quality (score >or= 2) was obtained in 92.1% (303 of 329) of the coronary artery segments. The mean image quality score for the whole coronary tree was 3.1 +/- 1.01. No significant correlation between mean heart rate (rho = 0.31) or heart rate variability (rho = 0.23) and overall image quality score was observed (p = not significant).


CONCLUSIONS
Dual-source CT acquisition yields coronary angiograms of diagnostic quality in heart transplant recipients. Mean heart rate and heart rate variability during scanning do not have a negative effect on the overall quality of images of the coronary arteries.
Bastarrika
Gorka
G
Department of Radiology, Clínica Universitaria, Universidad de Navarra, Ave. Pío XII, 36, 31008 Pamplona, Spain. bastarrika@unav.es
De Cecco
Carlo Nicola
CN
Arraiza
Maria
M
Mastrobuoni
Stefano
S
Pueyo
Jesús C
JC
Ubilla
Matias
M
Rábago
Gregorio
G
D003287:Contrast Media; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007479:Iopamidol