Document Detail


Variability of repeated coronary artery calcium measurements on low-dose ECG-gated 16-MDCT.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16794121     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: High reproducibility on coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring is a key requirement in monitoring the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Retrospective ECG-gated helical CT has been shown to be superior to prospective gating helical CT in the reproducibility of CAC measurements. However, it brings with it a high level of radiation exposure. The purpose of this study was to compare low- and standard-dose protocols in the variability of CAC scores and in image quality, thereby assessing the feasibility of low-dose retrospective ECG-gated helical CT in CAC measurements. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty-six patients with CAC were scanned using a tube current setting of 100 mA once and then a tube current setting equivalent to the patient's body weight twice. CAC scores (Agatston and volume) and interscan variability were evaluated. The mean and SD of the CT attenuation values in regions of interest in the aorta were measured, and the value (mean + 2 x SD) was obtained. RESULTS: A high correlation of log(10) (Agatston score + 1) was observed between sequential helical CT scans (r = 0.998). The variability in CAC measurements ranged from 11% to 12% for both the Agatston and volume scores. With the tube current equivalent to body weight, the value (mean + 2 x SD) did not exceed a CT attenuation value of 130 H. CONCLUSION: Low-dose retrospective ECG-gated helical CT-yielding low variability and achieving the level of image quality needed to measure CAC-can be used to monitor patients with coronary atherosclerosis.
Authors:
Jun Horiguchi; Hideya Yamamoto; Nobuhiko Hirai; Yuji Akiyama; Chikako Fujioka; Kazushi Marukawa; Hiroshi Fukuda; Katsuhide Ito
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  AJR. American journal of roentgenology     Volume:  187     ISSN:  1546-3141     ISO Abbreviation:  AJR Am J Roentgenol     Publication Date:  2006 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2006-06-23     Completed Date:  2006-08-16     Revised Date:  2008-02-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7708173     Medline TA:  AJR Am J Roentgenol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  W1-6     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Radiology, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3, Kasumi-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan. horiguch@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Calcinosis / metabolism,  radiography*
Calcium / metabolism*
Coronary Angiography*
Coronary Artery Disease / metabolism,  radiography*
Coronary Vessels / metabolism*
Disease Progression
Electrocardiography*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Reproducibility of Results
Tomography, Spiral Computed* / methods
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
7440-70-2/Calcium

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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