Coronary computed tomography angiography with 320-row detector and using the AIDR-3D: initial experience

Abstracts

A angiotomografia computadorizada de coronárias (angioTC de coronárias) é um excelente método de imagem não invasivo para avaliar a doença arterial coronariana. Atualmente, a dose de radiação efetiva estimada da angioTC de coronárias pode ser reduzida em tomógrafos de última geração com múltiplos detectores, como o tomógrafo com 320 fileiras de detectores (320-CT), sem prejuízo na acurácia diagnóstica da angioTC de coronárias. Para reduzir ainda mais a dose de radiação, novos algoritmos de reconstrução iterativa foram recentemente introduzidos por vários fabricantes de tomógrafos, que atualmente são utilizados rotineiramente nesse exame. Neste trabalho, apresentamos nossa experiência inicial na angioTC de coronárias utilizando o 320-CT e o Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3D (AIDR-3D). Apresentamos ainda as indicações mais comuns desse exame na rotina da instituição bem como os protocolos de aquisição da, angioTC de coronárias com as atualizações relacionadas a essa nova técnica para reduzir a dose de radiação. Concluímos que a dose de radiação da angioTC de coronárias pode ser reduzida seguindo o princípio as low as reasonable achievable (tão baixo quanto razoavelmente exequível), combinando a indicação de exame com técnicas bem documentadas para a diminuição da dose de radiação, como o uso de betabloqueadores e a redução do kV, com os mais recentes aplicativos de reconstrução iterativa para redução da dose de radiação, como o AIDR-3D.

Angiografia coronária; Doença da artéria coronariana; Tomografia computadorizada multidetectores; Radiação ionizante; Controle da exposição a radiação; Processamento de imagem assistida por computador; Isquemia miocárdica; Diagnóstico por imagem; Técnicas de imagem de sincronização cardíaca; Técnicas de imagem cardíaca

MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS

Coronary computed tomography angiography with 320-row detector and using the AIDR-3D: initial experience

Roberto Sasdelli Neto^I; Cesar Higa Nomura^I; Ana Carolina Sandoval Macedo^I; Danilo Perussi Bianco^I; Fernando Uliana Kay^I; Gilberto Szarf^I; Gustavo Borges da Silva Teles^I; Hamilton Shoji^I; Pedro Vieira Santana Netto^I; Rodrigo Bastos Duarte Passos^I; Rodrigo Caruso Chate^I; Walther Yoshiharu Ishikawa^I; João Paulo Bacellar Costa Lima^I; Marcelo Assis Rocha^I; Vinícius Neves Marcos^I; Bruna Bonaventura Failla^II; Marcelo Buarque de Gusmão Funari^I

^IHospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

^IIUniversidade Metodista de São Paulo, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil

Corresponding author

ABSTRACT

Coronary computed tomography angiography (coronary CTA) is a powerful non-invasive imaging method to evaluate coronary artery disease. Nowadays, coronary CTA estimated effective radiation dose can be dramatically reduced using state-of-the-art scanners, such as 320-row detector CT (320-CT), without changing coronary CTA diagnostic accuracy. To optimize and further reduce the radiation dose, new iterative reconstruction algorithms were released recently by several CT manufacturers, and now they are used routinely in coronary CTA. This paper presents our first experience using coronary CTA with 320-CT and the Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3D (AIDR-3D). In addition, we describe the current indications for coronary CTA in our practice as well as the acquisition standard protocols and protocols related to CT application for radiation dose reduction. In conclusion, coronary CTA radiation dose can be dramatically reduced following the "as low as reasonable achievable" principle by combination of exam indication and well-documented technics for radiation dose reduction, such as beta blockers, low-kV, and also the newest iterative dose reduction software as AIDR-3D.

Keywords: Coronary angiography; Coronary artery disease; Multidetector computed tomography; Radiation, ionizing; Exposure control to radiation; Image processing, computed-assisted; Myocardial ischemia; Diagnostic imaging; Cardiac-gated imaging techniques; Cardiac imaging techniques

INTRODUCTION

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) examination's role was established on the last American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines as a non-invasive imaging method to evaluate coronary artery disease and some cardiovascular diseases⁽¹⁾. Nowadays, coronary CTA estimated effective radiation dose can be dramatically reduced by using state-of-the-art scanners, such as dual-source CT (DSCT) and 320-row detector CT (320-CT)⁽²⁾, without changing coronary CTA diagnostic accuracy⁽³⁾. To optimize and further reduce the radiation dose, new iterative reconstructions algorithms were recently released by several scanners manufacturers⁽⁴⁾, and now they are routinely used in coronary CTA. This paper presents our first experience in using coronary CTA with 320-CT and the Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3D (AIDR-3D). In addition, it describes the coronary CTA indications as well as the acquisition protocols related to this new CT application for radiation dose reduction.

THE CORONARY CTA INDICATIONS

Each coronary CTA indication demands a proper CTA scan protocol, which might increase the radiation dose. For example, protocols designed to evaluate coronary artery bypass graft surgery and "triple-rule-out coronary CTA" often require higher doses than standard coronary CTA⁽¹⁾.

The majority of patients referred to our institution for coronary CTA have prior equivocal cardiovascular exams, such as the treadmill stress test and the single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), as main exam indication.

Other indications for coronary CTA related to current appropriate criteria score (ACCF/SCCT/ACR/AHA/ASE/ASNC/NASCI/SCAI/SCMR2010 Appropriate Use Criteria for Cardiac Computed Tomography) are displayed on chart 1⁽¹⁾.

PATIENT PREPARATION TO CORONARY CTA

Patients referred to coronary CTA can receive oral or intravenous beta blockers to reduce heart rate unless they have contraindications, such as overt heart failure, asthma, or atrioventricular conduction abnormalities⁽⁵⁾. Beta blocker dose protocols of our institution are detailed on chart 2.

Sublingual isosorbide dinitrate (3.75mg) is administrated routinely prior to coronary CTA if not contraindicated due to pulmonary hypertension, severe aortic stenosis, the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (such as the use of sildenafil citrate in the last 24 hours, or tadalafil in the last 72 hours) and migraine⁽⁵⁾.

THE SCANNER

In our institution, coronary CTAs are performed in two 320-row CT scanners (Aquilion ONE, Toshiba Medical Systems, Tochigi-ken, Japan). All patients are scanned with prospective electrocardiographic (ECG) gating/triggering, independently of heart rate. This technique uses forward-looking prediction of R-wave timing, step-and-shoot non-spiral acquisition with no table motion during imaging, and unique cone beam reconstruction⁽⁶⁾.

The scanning plan is based on body mass index (BMI), in order to apply the lowest kV and mA for each patient (Chart 3), using the Sure Exposure 3D^® (Tochigi-ken, Japan) with an automatic exposure control system⁽⁷⁾.

The z-axis coverage or the range varies from 10 to 16cm, and the 12 to 14cm range is used in about 75% of our patients. Scanner standard values provided by the manufacturer are displayed on chart 3. There is no table movement, so pitch is zero. Reconstruction algorithm uses the "half" protocol, which increases temporal resolution to 175ms⁽⁸⁾, and Xact + (on), that corrects cone beam angle.

Iodinated contrast media (Henetix^® 350mg/mL, Guerbet, Lille, France) is injected using dual-head injection system, volume ranges from 50 to 100mL, according to patient's BMI and coronary CTA indication, followed by a 50mL flush of saline solution⁽⁵⁾.

DOSE REDUCTION STRATEGY: ITERATIVE RECONSTRUCTION

CT scan images are formed from reconstructions of projections of the radiation detected in multiple angles in a tomography scan, such as back-projection (BP) or filtered back-projection (FBP) associated to iterative reconstructions, since 1970⁽⁴⁾. The term "iterative" refers to a method of successive approximations until satisfactory agreement with an arbitrary starting image. Therefore, iterative reconstructions by definition repeat the reconstruction process several times, and are much slower than analytic methods⁽⁴⁾.

The increase of low-dose CT scanning implies reduction of the number of photons reaching the detector, and results on a decrease in the signal-to-noise ratio and more strike artifacts^(8,9).

The AIDR-3D is a recent iterative reconstruction algorithm composed by lots of operations launched by Toshiba Medical Systems (Tochigi-ken, Japan). The aim of the operations in the projection data space is to reduce streak artifacts caused by photon starvation. Therefore, a 3D-smoothing filter is applied to the photon count values, which performance is fu rther enhanced with statistical models of the noise and the scanner. In the meantime, the AIDR-3D operations occurs in the image reconstruction domain, in order to obtain iterative noise reduction⁽⁸⁾. The final process involves a weighted blending of the iterative and the primary reconstruction to create AIDR-3D image. As a result of this blending, the images retain a more typical CT appearance, as if they were simply acquired with standard CT exposure parameters⁽¹⁰⁾ (Figure 1). Nowadays, the AIDR-3D can be applied to all acquisition modes for routine clinical use and is able to eliminate up to 50% of image noise, resulting in dose reduction of up to 65%⁽⁸⁾ (Figure 2).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, coronary computed tomography angiography radiation dose can be dramatically reduced, following the ALARA ("as low as reasonable achievable") principle, combining the exam indication with well-documented technics in coronary computed tomography angiography, such as beta blockers, low-kV, and the use of dose reduction software, as AIDR-3D.

REFERENCES

• 1. Taylor AJ, Cerqueira M, Hodgson JM, Mark D, Min J, O'Gara P, Rubin GD. American College of Cardiology Foundation Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force; Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography; American College of Radiology; American Heart Association; American Society of Echocardiography; American Society of Nuclear Cardiology; North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging; Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions; Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. ACCF/ SCCT/ACR/AHA/ASE/ASNC/NASCI/SCAI/SCMR2010 Appropriate Use Criteria for Cardiac Computed Tomography. A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, the American College of Radiology, the American Heart Association, the American Society of Echocardiography, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, the North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. J Cardiovasc.Comput Tomogr. 2010;4(6):407.e1-33.
• 2. Zhang C, Zhang Z, Yan Z, Xu L, Yu W, Wang R. 320-row CT coronary angiography: effect of 100-kV tube voltages on image quality, contrast volume, and radiation dose. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 201;27(7):1059-68.
• 3. Dewey M, Zimmermann E, Deissenrieder F, Laule M, Dübel HP, Schlattmann P, et al. Noninvasive coronary angiography by 320-row computed tomography with lower radiation exposure and maintained diagnostic accuracy: comparison of results with cardiac catheterization in a head-to-head pilot investigation. Circulation. 2009;120(10):867-75.
• 4. Fleischmann D, Boas FE. Computed tomography--old ideas and new technology. Eur Radiol. 2011;21(3):510-7.
• 5. Maurer MH, Zimmermann E, Schlattmann P, Germershausen C, Hamm B, Dewey M. Indications, imaging technique, and reading of cardiac computed tomography: survey of clinical practice. Eur Radiol. 2012;22(1):59-72.
• 6. Hsieh J, Londt J, Vass M, Li J, Tang X, Okerlun D. Step-and-shoot data acquisition and reconstruction for cardiac x-ray computed tomography. Med Phys. 2006;33(11):4236-48.
• 7. Lee CH, Goo JM, Ye HJ, Ye SJ, Park CM, Chun EJ, et al. Radiation dose modulation techniques in the multidetector CT era: from basics to practice. Radiographics. 2008;28(5):1451-9.
• 8. Yoo RE, Park EA, Lee W, Shim H, Kim YK, Chung JW, et al. Image quality of Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3D of coronary CT angiography of 640-slice CT: comparison with filtered back-projection. Int. J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2013; 29(3):669-76.
• 9. Singh S, Kalra MK, Gilman MD, Hsieh J, Pien HH, Digumarthy SR, et al. Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction technique for radiation dose reduction in chest CT: a pilot study. Radiology. 2011;259(2):565-73.
• 10. Hara AK, Paden RG, Silva AC, Kujak JL, Lawder HJ, Pavlicek W. Iterative reconstruction technique for reducing body radiation dose at CT: feasibility study. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009;193(3):764-71.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  15 Oct 2013
• Date of issue
  Sept 2013

History

• Received
  01 Nov 2012
• Accepted
  05 July 2013