Heavily Calcified Coronary Arteries: Advanced Calcium Subtraction Improves Luminal Visualization and Diagnostic Confidence in Dual-Energy Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography. Issue 2 (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Santis, Domenico; Jin, Kwang Nam; Schoepf, U. Joseph; Grant, Katharine L.; De Cecco, Carlo N.; Nance, John W.; Vogl, Thomas J.; Laghi, Andrea; Albrecht, Moritz H.
• Is Part Of: Investigative radiology. Volume 53:Issue 2(2018:Feb.)
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: dual-energy CT -- calcium subtraction -- calcified plaque -- coronary artery disease -- diagnostic confidence -- luminal visualization; Diagnosis, Radioscopic -- Periodicals; Radiology, Medical -- Periodicals; 616.0757
• DOI: 10.1097/RLI.0000000000000416
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-9996

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate a prototype dual-energy computed tomography calcium subtraction algorithm and its impact on luminal visualization in patients with heavily calcified coronary arteries. Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine patients (62% male; mean age, 64 ± 7 years) who had undergone dual-energy coronary computed tomography angiography were retrospectively included in this institutional review board–approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant study. Linearly blended (M_0.6) and calcium-subtracted images were reconstructed. Two independent observers assessed luminal visualization of the coronary arteries in a segment-based analysis, subjective image quality, and diagnostic confidence using 5-point Likert scales. Contrast-to-noise ratios for both data sets were calculated. Wilcoxon testing and Cohen's κ were used for statistical comparisons. Results: Calcium-subtracted image series showed improved lumen visualization of the coronary arteries ( P = 0.008), with excellent interreader agreement (mean score, 3.3; κ = 0.82), compared with M_0.6 series (mean score, 2.9; κ = 0.77). The calcium subtraction algorithm improved diagnostic confidence compared with the M_0.6 reconstructions (mean scores, 4.0 and 3.1, respectively; all P ⩽ 0.002). The image quality analysis showed no significant differences between calcium-subtracted and M_0.6 data sets (subjectively: mean scores, 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, P = 0.442; objectively: mean contrast-to-noise ratio, 37.0 and 38.2, respectively, P = 0.733). Conclusions: A prototype algorithm for calcium subtraction improves coronary lumen visualization and diagnostic confidence in patients with heavy coronary calcifications without differences in conventional subjective and objective measures of image quality. Abstract : Supplemental digital content is available in the text.