Prospective ECG-triggered CT angiography of the thoracic aorta in patients with atrial fibrillation or accelerated heart rates: feasibility and image quality

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010 Jan;194(1):W111-4. doi: 10.2214/AJR.09.3153.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of our study was to prospectively investigate the feasibility and image quality of and to calculate the radiation dose estimates for CT angiography (CTA) of the thoracic aorta in patients with atrial fibrillation or accelerated heart rates using prospective ECG-triggered sequential dual-source data acquisition in end-systole.

Conclusion: Prospective ECG-gated sequential dual-source CTA of the thoracic aorta is feasible despite heart rates>80 beats per minute or atrial fibrillation, making motion-free imaging of the thoracic aorta possible at a considerably low radiation dose.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aorta, Thoracic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / diagnostic imaging*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / physiopathology
  • Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques / methods*
  • Contrast Media
  • Coronary Angiography / methods*
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Iopamidol / analogs & derivatives
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • iomeprol
  • Iopamidol