title: Impact on Image Quality and Radiation Dose of Third-Generation Dual-Source Computed Tomography of the Coronary Arteries.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the image quality (IQ) and radiation dose of third-generation dual-source computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography (cCTA) in comparison with 64-slice single-source CT. This retrospective study included 140 patients (73 men, mean age 62 ± 11 years) with low-to-intermediate probability of coronary artery disease who underwent either third-generation dual-source cCTA using prospectively electrocardiography-triggered high-pitch spiral acquisition (n = 70) (group 1) or retrospective electrocardiography-gated cCTA on a 64-slice CT system (n = 70) (group 2). Contrast-to-noise and signal-to-noise ratios were measured within the aorta and coronary arteries. Subjective IQ was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Effective dose was estimated using specific conversion factors. The contrast-to-noise ratio of group 1 was significantly higher than group 2 at all levels (all p <0.001). Signal-to-noise ratio of group 1 was also significantly higher than group 2 (p <0.05), except for the distal left circumflex artery. Subjective IQ for group 1 was rated significantly better than for group 2 (median score [25th to 75th percentile]: 1 [1 to 2] vs 2 [2 to 3]; p <0.001). The median effective dose was 1.55 mSv (1.09 to 1.88) in group 1 versus 12.29 mSv (11.63 to 14.36) in group 2 (p <0.001) which corresponds to a mean radiation dose reduction of 87.4%. In conclusion, implementation of third-generation dual-source CT system for cCTA leads to improved IQ with significant radiation dose savings.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Apfaltrer
authors.affiliation: Diagnostikum Graz-Südwest, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Dieter H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Szolar
authors.affiliation: Diagnostikum Graz-Südwest, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wurzinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Richard A P
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Takx
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Nance
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dutschke
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tschauner
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Loewe
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ringl
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sorantin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany. Electronic address: paul.apfaltrer@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Apfaltrer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D055424:Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*