Rationale and Objectives
To investigate motion artifacts, image quality, and practical differences in electrocardiographic
(ECG)-gated versus non-ECG-gated high-pitch dual-source computed tomography angiography
(CTA) of the whole aorta.
Materials and Methods
Two groups, each including 40 patients, underwent either ECG-gated or non-ECG-gated
high-pitch dual-source CTA of the whole aorta. The aortic annulus, aortic valve, coronary
ostia, and the presence of motion artifacts of the thoracic aorta as well as vascular
contrast down to the femoral arteries were independently assessed by two readers.
Additional objective parameters including image noise and signal-to-noise ratio were
analyzed.
Results
Subjective and objective scoring revealed no presence of motional artifacts regardless
of whether the ECG-gated or the non-ECG-gated protocol was used (P > 0.1). Image acquisition parameters (examination length, examination duration, radiation
dose) were comparable between the two groups without significant differences. The
aortic annulus, aortic valve, and coronary ostia were reliably evaluable in all patients.
Vascular contrast was rated excellent in both groups.
Conclusions
High-pitch dual-source CTA of the whole aorta is a robust and dose-efficient examination
strategy for the evaluation of aortic pathologies whether or not ECG gating is used.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 05, 2015
Accepted:
September 3,
2015
Received in revised form:
August 31,
2015
Received:
June 13,
2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
