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Keywords:
Cardiac, CT-Angiography, Computer Applications-Detection, diagnosis, Ischaemia / Infarction, Congenital
Authors:
A. G. Allam; Doha/QA
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2016/C-2014
Methods and materials
CTA was performed using prospective electrocardiogram gating on 128-slice,
dual-source CT scanner,
(Somatom Definition Flash,
Syngo CT 2011A,
Erlangen,
Germany).
Patients were positioned appropriately in supine position,
ECG leads were attached,
and large intravenous access (18 gauge) was established for the injection of the contrast agent (Omnipaque 350 or Visispaque 320) followed by normal saline at a rate of 6ml/s.
Most of the patients were pre-medicated with short-acting nitroglycerin sublingual spray and the intravenous beta-blocker (5-15mg of intravenous metoprolol) given only for the patient with a heart rate higher than 70 beats per minute.
A CT volume data set for the coronary arteries was acquired; the data set covers the entire heart from the proximal ascending aorta (approximately 1-2cm below the carina) to the diaphragmatic surface of the heart.
The scan is acquired in a single breath-hold during inspiration and starts with the injection of a non-ionic contrast agent.
Both axial images and multiplanar reformatted (MPR) images are used in detecting the presence of myocardial bridging.
Curved MPR images,
curved MIP images and 3-dimensional volume rendering technique images were also helpful and can provide a general overview of the cardiac and coronary anatomy.
The scans were performed for patients with typical or atypical chest pain or for screening in high risk patients or as a pre-operative work-up.