A user-friendly method of cardiac venous system visualization in 64-slice computed tomography.
BACKGROUND
Previsualization of the cardiac venous system is very important for some techniques, for example, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The aim of this study was to propose a new, user-friendly method of cardiac venous system visualization in 64-slice computed tomography (CT).


METHODS
In 112 patients (66 M) aged 58 +/- 11 standard deviation, a 64-slice CT with a retrospective electrocardiogram gating was performed due to a suspicion of ischemic heart disease. Special attention was paid to the requirements for image reconstruction useful for CRT.


RESULTS
In 74% of the patients, it was possible to obtain similar images to those during the CRT implantation procedure within anterior-posterior, left anterior oblique, and right anterior oblique views. The coronary sinus was clearly visible in all cases, the ostium measured 12.9 +/- 5.9 mm, and the angle of entrance 99 +/- 12 degrees. In all patients it was possible to demonstrate more than one vein; in 95%, at least one vein was clearly visible in the target area. Among the target veins, the posterolateral vein was visible most frequently (78%) in the cases as well as the lateral vein (78%).


CONCLUSIONS
The proposed scheme in 64-slice computed tomography enables images to be generated similar to the intraoperative fluoroscopy, which can be useful in techniques where previsualization of the cardiac venous system is recommended.
Mlynarski
Rafal
R
Department of Electrocardiology, Medical University of Silesia, ul Ziolowa 45/47, Katowice, Poland. Rafal_Mlynarski@mp.pl
Sosnowski
Maciej
M
Wlodyka
Agnieszka
A
Kargul
Wlodzimierz
W
Tendera
Michal
M
D000465:Algorithms; D003196:Computer Graphics; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface