title: ECG-gated Versus Non-ECG-gated High-pitch Dual-source CT for Whole Body CT Angiography (CTA).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate motion artifacts, image quality, and practical differences in electrocardiographic (ECG)-gated versus non-ECG-gated high-pitch dual-source computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the whole aorta.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups, each including 40 patients, underwent either ECG-gated or non-ECG-gated high-pitch dual-source CTA of the whole aorta. The aortic annulus, aortic valve, coronary ostia, and the presence of motion artifacts of the thoracic aorta as well as vascular contrast down to the femoral arteries were independently assessed by two readers. Additional objective parameters including image noise and signal-to-noise ratio were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjective and objective scoring revealed no presence of motional artifacts regardless of whether the ECG-gated or the non-ECG-gated protocol was used (P > 0.1). Image acquisition parameters (examination length, examination duration, radiation dose) were comparable between the two groups without significant differences. The aortic annulus, aortic valve, and coronary ostia were reliably evaluable in all patients. Vascular contrast was rated excellent in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-pitch dual-source CTA of the whole aorta is a robust and dose-efficient examination strategy for the evaluation of aortic pathologies whether or not ECG gating is used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany. Electronic address: beeres@gmx.net.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beeres
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Julian L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wichmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Frellesen
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bucher
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan-Erik
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Scholtz
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Cairo University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Nour-Eldin A
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Nour-Eldin
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gruber-Rouh
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Vogl
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lehnert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods*; D016477:Artifacts; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007479:Iopamidol
keywords: Aorta; CT angiography; Dual-source CT; High-pitch; Radiation dose