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256-slice CT angiographic evaluation of coronary artery bypass grafts: effect of heart rate, heart rate variability and Z-axis location on image quality.

Authors :
Bettina M Gramer
Patricia Diez Martinez
Anne S Chin
Marie-Pierre Sylvestre
Sandra Larrivée
Louis-Mathieu Stevens
Nicolas Noiseux
Gilles Soulez
Ernst J Rummeny
Carl Chartrand-Lefebvre
Source :
PLoS ONE, Vol 9, Iss 3, p e91861 (2014)
Publication Year :
2014
Publisher :
Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2014.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to assess the effect of heart rate, heart rate variability and z-axis location on coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) image quality using a 256-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner.A total of 78 patients with 254 CABG (762 graft segments) were recruited to undergo CABG assessment with 256-slice CT and prospective ECG-gating. Two observers rated graft segments for image quality on a 5-point scale. Quantitative measurements were also made. Logistic and cumulative link mixed models were used to assess the predictors of graft image quality.Graft image quality was judged as diagnostic (scores 5 (excellent), 4 (good) and 3 (moderate)) in 96.6% of the 762 segments. Interobserver agreement was excellent (kappa ≥0.90). Graft image quality was not affected by heart rate level. However, high heart rate variability was associated with an important and significant image quality deterioration (odds ratio 4.31; p = 0.036). Distal graft segments had significantly lower image quality scores than proximal segments (p ≤ 0.02). Significantly higher noise was noted at the origin of the mammary grafts (p = 0.001), owing to streak artifacts from the shoulders.CABG imaging with 270-msec rotation 256-slice CT and prospective ECG-gating showed an adequate image quality in 96.6% of graft segments, and an excellent interobserver agreement. Graft image quality was not influenced by heart rate level. Image quality scores were however significantly decreased in patients with high heart rate variability, as well as in distal graft segments, which are closer to the heart.

Subjects

Subjects :
Medicine
Science

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19326203
Volume :
9
Issue :
3
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
PLoS ONE
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.25528e1e7a9b4103ac6cf7347cef0172
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0091861