title: Image quality in coronary CT angiography: challenges and technical solutions.
abstract: Multidetector CT angiography (CTA) has become a widely accepted examination for non-invasive evaluation of the heart and coronary arteries. Despite its ongoing success and worldwide clinical implementation, it remains an often-challenging procedure in which image quality, and hence diagnostic value, is determined by both technical and patient-related factors. Thorough knowledge of these factors is important to obtain high-quality examinations. In this review, we discuss several key elements that may adversely affect coronary CTA image quality as well as potential measures that can be taken to mitigate their impact. In addition, several recent vendor-specific advances and future directions to improve image quality are discussed.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Chrétien (CHC), Liège, Belgium.|2 Department of Radiology, Jessa Ziekenhuis, Hasselt, Belgium.|3 Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ghekiere
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salgado
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Radiology, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nico
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Buls
authors.affiliation: 6 Department of Radiology, Utrecht University Medical Center, Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leiner
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Chrétien (CHC), Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.affiliation: 7 Department of Radiology, OLV Ziekenhuis Aalst, Aalst, Belgium.
authors.forename: Piet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vanhoenacker
authors.affiliation: 8 Heart Center Hasselt, Jessa Ziekenhuis, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dendale
authors.affiliation: 9 GIGA Cardiovascular Sciences, Liège University (ULg), Domaine Universitaire du Sart Tilman, Rue de l'hôpital, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nchimi
mesh_terms: D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*