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Review
. 2016 Sep;89(1065):20160376.
doi: 10.1259/bjr.20160376. Epub 2016 Jul 7.

Selecting a CT scanner for cardiac imaging: the heart of the matter

Maria A Lewis  1 , Ana Pascoal  2   3 , Stephen F Keevil  1   2   4 , Cornelius A Lewis  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Selecting a CT scanner for cardiac imaging: the heart of the matter

Maria A Lewis et al. Br J Radiol. 2016 Sep.

Abstract

Coronary angiography to assess the presence and degree of arterial stenosis is an examination now routinely performed on CT scanners. Although developments in CT technology over recent years have made great strides in improving the diagnostic accuracy of this technique, patients with certain characteristics can still be "difficult to image". The various groups will benefit from different technological enhancements depending on the type of challenge they present. Good temporal and spatial resolution, wide longitudinal (z-axis) detector coverage and high X-ray output are the key requirements of a successful CT coronary angiography (CTCA) scan. The requirement for optimal patient dose is a given. The different scanner models recommended for CTCA all excel in different aspects. The specification data presented here for these scanners and the explanation of the impact of the different features should help in making a more informed decision when selecting a scanner for CTCA.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Diagram showing the relationship between the imaging challenge of different patient groups and the technical specification parameter that may help to meet that challenge (adapted from KiTEC report with permission from KiTEC). 3D, three dimensional; CTCA, CT coronary angiography; mGy, milligray; mm, millimetre; ms, millisecond.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The co-ordinate system used in CT scanning.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The number of gantry rotations required to cover the cardiac volume is dependent on z-axis detector array dimensions. (a) On the majority of scanners, several gantry rotations are required to cover the whole cardiac anatomy; (b) scanners with a 160-mm detector array, or above, can acquire the full cardiac anatomy in a single axial rotation.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
z-axis detector array configurations of modern high-end CT scanners (adapted from KiTEC report with permission from KiTEC). GSI, gemstone spectral imaging; HD, high definition.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Temporal resolution in cardiac CT scanning: (a) with a “half-scan” reconstruction algorithm and (b) with a “multisegment” reconstruction algorithm (two-segment reconstruction); (c) with dual-source CT scanner, the two 90° segments of data are acquired simultaneously (adapted from CEP Market review, authors attempted to contact the original rights holder for permission but were unsuccessful). bpm, beats per minute; ms, millisecond.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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