Scientific publications
Dual-source CT for visualization of the coronary arteries in heart transplant patients with high heart rates. Scientific Publication
Gorka Bastarrika (1), Carlo Nicola De Cecco (2), Maria Arraiza (1), Stefano Mastrobuoni (3), Jesús C. Pueyo (1), Matias Ubilla (3) and Gregorio Rábago (3)
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of dual-source CT images of the coronary arteries in heart transplant recipients with high heart rates.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Contrast-enhanced dual-source CT coronary angiography was performed on 23 heart transplant recipients (20 men, three women; mean age, 61.1 +/- 12.8 years). Data sets were reconstructed in 5% steps from 30% to 80% of the R-R interval. Two blinded independent readers using a 5-point scale (0, not evaluative; 4, excellent quality) assessed the quality of images of coronary segments.
RESULTS
The mean heart rate during scanning was 89.2 +/- 10.4 beats/min. Interobserver agreement on the quality of images of the whole coronary tree was a kappa value of 0.78 and for selection of the optimal reconstruction interval was a kappa value of 0.82. The optimal reconstruction interval was systole in 17 (74%) of the 23 of heart transplant recipients. At the best reconstruction interval, diagnostic image quality (score >or= 2) was obtained in 92.1% (303 of 329) of the coronary artery segments. The mean image quality score for the whole coronary tree was 3.1 +/- 1.01. No significant correlation between mean heart rate (rho = 0.31) or heart rate variability (rho = 0.23) and overall image quality score was observed (p = not significant).
CONCLUSION
Dual-source CT acquisition yields coronary angiograms of diagnostic quality in heart transplant recipients. Mean heart rate and heart rate variability during scanning do not have a negative effect on the overall quality of images of the coronary arteries.
CITATION AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2008 Aug;191(2):448-54