J Korean Soc Radiol.  2009 Apr;60(4):233-239. 10.3348/jksr.2009.60.4.233.

The Influence of Heart Rate and its Variations on Image Quality: A Comparative Study of 16- and 64-Slice Multidetector Row Computed Tomography

• Kim DH
• Choi SI
• Chun EJ
• Park JH

• KMID: 1471184
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2009.60.4.233

Abstract

PURPOSE: We wanted to investigate the influence of heart rate (HR) and its variations on the CT angiography (CTA) image quality with using 16- and 64-slice multidetector CT (MDCT).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Of the 200 recruited patients, 100 underwent 16-slice MDCT (M:F=74:26, median age: 55.2 +/- 12.8 years) and 100 underwent 64-slice MDCT (M:F=68:32, median age: 58.4 +/- 11.6 years). We evaluated the image quality with respect to the HR and the variations in the HR. The images were graded in terms of the quality of vessel depiction with using a four-point scoring system from 1 to 4, where 4 represented the best image quality. In addition, we analyzed the 16- and 64-slice MDCT images in terms of the presence and frequency of stair-step artifacts.
RESULTS
The mean HR variation was significantly lower on 64-slice MDCT than that on 16-slice MDCT (5.48 +/- 4.20 bpm vs. 10.31 +/- 5.90 bpm, respectively, p < 0.05). The mean image quality score of 64-slice MDCT was significantly greater than that of 16-slice MDCT (3.40 +/- 0.36 vs. 2.75 +/- 0.43, respectively, p < 0.05). The frequency of stair-step artifacts was markedly greater for 16-slice MDCT (2.4 +/- 3.2 vs. 0.5 +/- 1.04, respectively, p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
64-slice MDCT provides better image quality because it reduces the scan times and minimizes the HR variations.

MeSH Terms

Angiography
Artifacts
Coronary Artery Disease
Glycosaminoglycans
Heart
Heart Rate
Humans
Multidetector Computed Tomography
Mustard Compounds
Tomography, X-Ray
Glycosaminoglycans
Mustard Compounds