Iterative reconstruction significantly reduces image noise without loss of diagnostic information and holds the potential for substantial radiation dose reduction from cCTA.
We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of diagnosing coronary stenosis and myocardial ischemia with a single dual-energy CT (DECT) acquisition. Thirty-five patients underwent contrast-enhanced, ECG-gated DECT of the heart while independently operating the two tubes of a dual-source CT system at high- and low-energy X-ray spectra. From the same raw data, coronary CTA (cCTA) studies were reconstructed for stenosis detection, and the myocardial blood-pool was analyzed by determining the tissue iodine content. Two independent observers analyzed all studies for stenosis and myocardial blood-pool deficits. Results were correlated with SPECT, coronary catheterization and cCTA on a segmental basis. cCTA had 98% sensitivity, 88% specificity and 92% accuracy for detection of >50% stenosis. DECT detected myocardial ischemia with 84% sensitivity, 94% specificity and 92% accuracy. Our initial experience may warrant further exploration of DECT as a possibly feasible single imaging investigation for the comprehensive diagnosis of coronary stenosis and myocardial ischemia.
Iterative reconstruction reduces image noise and blooming artifacts from calcifications, leading to improved diagnostic accuracy of coronary CT angiography in patients with heavily calcified coronary arteries.
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