Mihály Károlyi1, Bálint Szilveszter2, Márton Kolossváry3, Richard A P Takx4, Csilla Celeng5, Andrea Bartykowszki6, Ádám L Jermendy7, Alexisz Panajotu8, Júlia Karády9, Rolf Raaijmakers10, Walter Giepmans11, Béla Merkely12, Pál Maurovich-Horvat13. 1. MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68. Varosmajor st, 1122, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: mihaly.karolyi@cirg.hu. 2. MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68. Varosmajor st, 1122, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: szilveszter.balint@gmail.com. 3. MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68. Varosmajor st, 1122, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: martonandko@gmail.com. 4. Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 100 Heidelberglaan, 3584, CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: richard.takx@gmail.com. 5. MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68. Varosmajor st, 1122, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: celengcsilla@gmail.com. 6. MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68. Varosmajor st, 1122, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: bartyandi@gmail.com. 7. MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68. Varosmajor st, 1122, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: adam.jermendy@gmail.com. 8. MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68. Varosmajor st, 1122, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: panajotualexisz@gmail.com. 9. MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68. Varosmajor st, 1122, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: karadyjulia@gmail.com. 10. Philips HealthCare, 4-6 Veenpluis, 5684, Best, The Netherlands. Electronic address: rolf.raaijmakers@philips.com. 11. Philips HealthCare, 4-6 Veenpluis, 5684, Best, The Netherlands. Electronic address: walter.giepmans@philips.com. 12. MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68. Varosmajor st, 1122, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: merkely.bela@gmail.com. 13. MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68. Varosmajor st, 1122, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: p.maurovich.horvat@mail.harvard.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of iterative model reconstruction (IMR) on calcified plaque quantification as compared to filtered back projection reconstruction (FBP) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) in coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). METHODS: Raw image data of 52 patients who underwent 256-slice CTA were reconstructed with IMR, HIR and FBP. We evaluated qualitative, quantitative image quality parameters and quantified calcified and partially calcified plaque volumes using automated software. RESULTS: Overall qualitative image quality significantly improved with HIR as compared to FBP, and further improved with IMR (p<0.01 all). Contrast-to-noise ratios were improved with IMR, compared to HIR and FBP (51.0 [43.5-59.9], 20.3 [16.2-25.9] and 14.0 [11.2-17.7], respectively, all p<0.01) Overall plaque volumes were lowest with IMR and highest with FBP (121.7 [79.3-168.4], 138.7 [90.6-191.7], 147.0 [100.7-183.6]). Similarly, calcified volumes (>130 HU) were decreased with IMR as compared to HIR and FBP (105.9 [62.1-144.6], 110.2 [63.8-166.6], 115.9 [81.7-164.2], respectively, p<0.05 all). High-attenuation non-calcified volumes (90-129 HU) yielded similar values with FBP and HIR (p=0.81), however it was lower with IMR (p < 0.05 both). Intermediate- (30-89 HU) and low-attenuation (<30 HU) non-calcified volumes showed no significant difference (p=0.22 and p=0.67, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: IMR improves image quality of coronary CTA and decreases calcified plaque volumes.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of iterative model reconstruction (IMR) on calcified plaque quantification as compared to filtered back projection reconstruction (FBP) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) in coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). METHODS: Raw image data of 52 patients who underwent 256-slice CTA were reconstructed with IMR, HIR and FBP. We evaluated qualitative, quantitative image quality parameters and quantified calcified and partially calcified plaque volumes using automated software. RESULTS: Overall qualitative image quality significantly improved with HIR as compared to FBP, and further improved with IMR (p<0.01 all). Contrast-to-noise ratios were improved with IMR, compared to HIR and FBP (51.0 [43.5-59.9], 20.3 [16.2-25.9] and 14.0 [11.2-17.7], respectively, all p<0.01) Overall plaque volumes were lowest with IMR and highest with FBP (121.7 [79.3-168.4], 138.7 [90.6-191.7], 147.0 [100.7-183.6]). Similarly, calcified volumes (>130 HU) were decreased with IMR as compared to HIR and FBP (105.9 [62.1-144.6], 110.2 [63.8-166.6], 115.9 [81.7-164.2], respectively, p<0.05 all). High-attenuation non-calcified volumes (90-129 HU) yielded similar values with FBP and HIR (p=0.81), however it was lower with IMR (p < 0.05 both). Intermediate- (30-89 HU) and low-attenuation (<30 HU) non-calcified volumes showed no significant difference (p=0.22 and p=0.67, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: IMR improves image quality of coronary CTA and decreases calcified plaque volumes.
Authors: Andrea S Klauser; Sylvia Strobl; Christoph Schwabl; Werner Klotz; Gudrun Feuchtner; Bernhard Moriggl; Julia Held; Mihra Taljanovic; Jennifer S Weaver; Monique Reijnierse; Elke R Gizewski; Hannes Stofferin Journal: Diagnostics (Basel) Date: 2022-05-16