Calcium scoring on coronary computed angiography tomography with photon-counting detector technology: Predictors of performance

Acquiring accurate virtual non-iodine (VNI) images from coronary artery CT angiography datasets could decrease both acquisition time and radiation dose associated with routine calcium scoring. In the current paper, the in-vivo agreement of Agatston scores obtained with a novel spectral reconstruction VNI algorithm and with conventional true non-contrast (TNC) images were investigated and potential predictors of performance were identified. The investigation revealed that VNI-based calculations correlate significantly with TNC calcium scores, demonstrating substantial agreement. On the other hand, increased tube voltage protocols and higher calcium densities may enhance the performance of such algorithms, manifesting in reduced percentage deviation from TNC calculations.

Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography - August 25, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: M. Vecsey-Nagy, A. Varga-Szemes, T. Emrich, E. Zsarnoczay, N. Nagy, N. Fink, B. Schmidt, T. Nowak, M. Kiss, B. Vattay, M. Boussoussou, M. Kolossv áry, A. Kubovje, B. Merkely, P. Maurovich-Horvat, B. Szilveszter Tags: Research paper Source Type: research