Effects of different monitoring points on coronary CT angiography image quality under the bolus-tracking method

doi:10.11958/20220216

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the effect of different monitoring points on the image quality of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) under the bolus-tracking method. Methods A total of 128 prospective patients undergoing CCTA examination were randomly divided into 4 different monitoring points groups: the left atrium (LA) group, the left ventricle (LV) group, the ascending aorta (AA) group and the descending aorta (DA) group. Each group contained 32 patients. The ROI threshold was 130 HU, the contrast agent was iomeprol (contain iodine 400 g/L), and the injection rate was 4 mL/s and the dosage was 40 mL. The differences in subjective and objective image evaluation indicators and radiation dose parameters were compared between the 4 groups. Results There were significant differences in CT values of aortic root and left main of coronary artery between the 4 groups (P<0.05). The CT values of aortic root and left main were higher in the LA group than those of the other three groups. There were no significant differences in CT values of proximal left anterior descending artery, proximal left circumflex artery and the mid of right coronary artery in the 4 groups (P>0.05). The differences in image noise and right coronary contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were statistically significant between the 4 groups (all P<0.05). The image noise in the LA group was 21.00±4.11, which was lower than other three groups. There were no significant differences in aortic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and CNR, left main and right coronary artery SNR between the 4 groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in subjective image quality score and radiation dose-related parameters between the 4 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion In CCTA scan using contrast agent bolus tracking method, positioning the monitoring point in left atrium can obtain better image quality, which is an ideal monitoring point for CCTA examination.

Key words: coronary vessels, coronary angiography, coronary artery disease, image quality, bolus-tracking method

CLC Number:

R445.3

Figures/Tables 7

References 14

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组别	年龄（岁）	性别（男/女）	身高（m）	体质量（kg）	BMI （kg/m²）
LA组	59.66±9.49	14/18	1.66±0.06	68.89±9.13	25.06±2.46
LV组	63.16±11.33	15/17	1.67±0.07	71.03±7.83	25.37±1.67
AA组	61.84±9.28	19/13	1.68±0.07	73.84±10.25	26.24±2.87
DA组	63.31±10.06	15/17	1.64±0.06	68.41±10.88	25.29±3.57
F或χ²	0.901	1.844	1.503	2.137	1.153

组别	年龄（岁）	性别（男/女）	身高（m）	体质量（kg）	BMI （kg/m²）
LA组	59.66±9.49	14/18	1.66±0.06	68.89±9.13	25.06±2.46
LV组	63.16±11.33	15/17	1.67±0.07	71.03±7.83	25.37±1.67
AA组	61.84±9.28	19/13	1.68±0.07	73.84±10.25	26.24±2.87
DA组	63.31±10.06	15/17	1.64±0.06	68.41±10.88	25.29±3.57
F或χ²	0.901	1.844	1.503	2.137	1.153

组别	主动脉根部	左主干	前降支近段	回旋支近段	右冠状动脉中段
LA组	480.25±77.90	458.50±70.34	419.46±63.63	396.63±65.54	422.54±79.15
LV组	406.76±58.36^a	395.85±57.59^a	377.57±47.68	362.03±48.01	381.42±60.22
AA组	424.43±90.96^a	409.30±82.03^a	390.50±82.01	373.35±78.02	398.73±89.19
DA组	433.72±63.30^a	417.56±61.45^a	401.69±53.57	390.14±60.48	405.02±54.43
F	5.789^＊＊	4.968^＊＊	2.536	1.946	1.774

组别	主动脉根部	左主干	前降支近段	回旋支近段	右冠状动脉中段
LA组	480.25±77.90	458.50±70.34	419.46±63.63	396.63±65.54	422.54±79.15
LV组	406.76±58.36^a	395.85±57.59^a	377.57±47.68	362.03±48.01	381.42±60.22
AA组	424.43±90.96^a	409.30±82.03^a	390.50±82.01	373.35±78.02	398.73±89.19
DA组	433.72±63.30^a	417.56±61.45^a	401.69±53.57	390.14±60.48	405.02±54.43
F	5.789^＊＊	4.968^＊＊	2.536	1.946	1.774

组别	图像噪声	SNR			CNR
组别	图像噪声	主动脉根部	左主干	右冠状动脉	主动脉根部	左主干	右冠状动脉
LA组	21.00±4.11	20.79±4.77	21.65±5.86	19.64±4.67	25.29±5.51	26.90±6.64	24.05±5.95
LV组	23.26±3.61	18.95±4.23	19.07±4.79	17.08±4.45	23.93±5.54	23.85±5.97	20.65±4.73^a
AA组	26.88±6.08^ab	18.20±4.94	19.16±6.78	18.87±5.55	22.99±5.87	24.38±7.96	23.76±6.15^b
DA组	23.49±4.99^ac	20.65±3.79	18.52±3.84	17.75±3.81	24.79±4.15	21.90±4.49^a	21.32±5.31
F	8.193^＊＊	2.634	2.111	1.911	1.161	3.332^＊	3.029^＊