Effect of heart rate on CT angiography using the enhanced cardiac model of the 4D NCAT

W. P. Segars; K. Taguchi; G. S. K. Fung; E. K. Fishman M.D.; B. M. W. Tsui

doi:10.1117/12.653347

2 March 2006 Effect of heart rate on CT angiography using the enhanced cardiac model of the 4D NCAT

W. P. Segars, K. Taguchi, G. S. K. Fung, E. K. Fishman M.D., B. M. W. Tsui

Proceedings Volume 6142, Medical Imaging 2006: Physics of Medical Imaging; 61420I (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.653347
Event: Medical Imaging, 2006, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We investigate the effect of heart rate on the quality and artifact generation in coronary artery images obtained using multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) with the purpose of finding the optimal time resolution for data acquisition. To perform the study, we used the 4D NCAT phantom, a computer model of the normal human anatomy and cardiac and respiratory motions developed in our laboratory. Although capable of being far more realistic, the 4D NCAT cardiac model was originally designed for low-resolution imaging research, and lacked the anatomical detail to be applicable to high-resolution CT. In this work, we updated the cardiac model to include a more detailed anatomy and physiology based on high-resolution clinical gated MSCT data. To demonstrate its utility in high-resolution dynamic CT imaging research, the enhanced 4D NCAT was then used in a pilot simulation study to investigate the effect of heart rate on CT angiography. The 4D NCAT was used to simulate patients with different heart rates (60-120 beats/minute) and with various cardiac plaques of known size and location within the coronary arteries. For each simulated patient, MSCT projection data was generated with data acquisition windows ranging from 100 to 250 ms centered within the quiet phase (mid-diastole) of the heart using an analytical CT projection algorithm. CT images were reconstructed from the projection data, and the contrast of the plaques was then measured to assess the effect of heart rate and to determine the optimal time resolution required for each case. The 4D NCAT phantom with its realistic model for the cardiac motion was found to provide a valuable tool from which to optimize CT cardiac applications. Our results indicate the importance of optimizing the time resolution with regard to heart rate and plaque location for improved CT images at a reduced patient dose.

Citation Download Citation

W. P. Segars, K. Taguchi, G. S. K. Fung, E. K. Fishman M.D., and B. M. W. Tsui "Effect of heart rate on CT angiography using the enhanced cardiac model of the 4D NCAT", Proc. SPIE 6142, Medical Imaging 2006: Physics of Medical Imaging, 61420I (2 March 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.653347

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available