文摘
The aim of this study was to compare image quality characteristics from 64-slice high definition (HDCT) versus 64-slice standard definition CT (SDCT) for coronary stent imaging. In twenty-five stents of 14 patients, undergoing contrast-enhanced CCTA both on 64-slice SDCT (LightSpeedVCT, GE Healthcare) and HDCT (Discovery HD750, GE Healthcare), radiation dose, contrast, noise and stent characteristics were assessed. Two blinded observers graded stent image quality (score 1?=?no, 2?=?mild, 3?=?moderate, and 4?=?severe artefacts). All scans were reconstructed with increasing contributions of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) blending (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100?%). Image quality was significantly superior in HDCT versus SDCT (score 1.7?±?0.5 vs. 2.7?±?0.7; p?<?0.05). Image noise was significantly higher in HDCT compared to SDCT irrespective of ASIR contributions (p?<?0.05). Addition of 40?% ASIR or more reduced image noise significantly in both HDCT and SDCT. In HDCT in-stent luminal attenuation was significantly lower and mean measured in-stent luminal diameter was significantly larger (1.2?±?0.4?mm vs. 0.8?±?0.4?mm; p?<?0.05) compared to SDCT. Radiation dose from HDCT was comparable to SDCT (1.8?±?0.7?mSv vs. 1.7?±?0.7?mSv; p?=?ns). Use of HDCT for coronary stent imaging reduces partial volume artefacts from stents yielding improved image quality versus SDCT at a comparable radiation dose.