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Review
. 2023 Aug 25;10(9):363.
doi: 10.3390/jcdd10090363.

Cardiovascular Applications of Photon-Counting CT Technology: A Revolutionary New Diagnostic Step

Antonella Meloni  1   2 , Filippo Cademartiri  1 , Vicenzo Positano  1   2 , Simona Celi  3 , Sergio Berti  4 , Alberto Clemente  1 , Ludovico La Grutta  5 , Luca Saba  6 , Eduardo Bossone  7 , Carlo Cavaliere  8 , Bruna Punzo  8 , Erica Maffei  1
Affiliations
Review

Cardiovascular Applications of Photon-Counting CT Technology: A Revolutionary New Diagnostic Step

Antonella Meloni et al. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis. .

Abstract

Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) is an emerging technology that can potentially transform clinical CT imaging. After a brief description of the PCCT technology, this review summarizes its main advantages over conventional CT: improved spatial resolution, improved signal and contrast behavior, reduced electronic noise and artifacts, decreased radiation dose, and multi-energy capability with improved material discrimination. Moreover, by providing an overview of the existing literature, this review highlights how the PCCT benefits have been harnessed to enhance and broaden the diagnostic capabilities of CT for cardiovascular applications, including the detection of coronary artery calcifications, evaluation of coronary plaque extent and composition, evaluation of coronary stents, and assessment of myocardial tissue characteristics and perfusion.

Keywords: computed tomography angiography; coronary arteries; heart; photon-counting detectors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 3
Figure 3
Cardiac/coronary PCCT examples of coronary arteries with standard vs. ultra-high spatial resolution.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Cardiac/coronary PCCT example of coronary arteries with moderate calcifications.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Cardiac/coronary PCCT example of coronary arteries with moderate calcifications.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Cardiac/coronary PCCT example of a significant stenosis of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Cardiac/coronary PCCT example of non-significant stenosis of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of photon-counting detector directly converting X-rays into an electrical signal (top) and of an energy-integrating detector (bottom).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cardiac/coronary PCCT examples of normal coronary arteries.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Cardiac/coronary PCCT example of coronary artery stent surrounded by calcification.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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