title: Evaluation of image quality of coronary artery plaque with rapid kVp-switching dual-energy CT.
abstract: We evaluated the virtual monochromatic imaging (VMI) energy levels that maximize image quality of each coronary plaque component in dual-energy computed tomography angiography in 495 coronary segments (45 for each energy level). Maximal signal-to-noise ratios were different for plaque, lumen, fat, and surrounding tissue (p<0.05). Maximal contrast-to-noise ratios were observed at 70keV for calcified plaque (CP), non-calcified plaque (NCP), and fat in comparison with the lumen (p<0.05), and 70keV and 120keV for NCP in comparison with fat (p=0.144). VMI demonstrated maximal image quality at different energy levels for each component of coronary artery plaque.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiology, Department of Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Science, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago City, Tottori 683-8504, Japan. Electronic address: yasuohta@med.tottori-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yasutoshi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohta
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiology, Department of Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Science, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago City, Tottori 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kitao
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago City, Tottori 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Radiology, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago City, Tottori 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago City, Tottori 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiology, Department of Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Science, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago City, Tottori 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshihide
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ogawa
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium
keywords: Cardiac; Computed tomography (CT); Coronary artery; Dual energy; Plaque