Low Radiation Dose Calcium Scoring: Evidence and Techniques

Coronary computed tomography (CT) allows for the acquisition of thin slices of the heart and coronary arteries, which can be used to detect and quantify coronary artery calcium (CAC), a marker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Despite the proven clinical value in cardiac risk prognostication, there remain concerns regarding radiation exposure from CAC CT scans. There have been several recent technical advancements that allow for significant radiation dose reduction in CAC scoring. This paper reviews the clinical utility and recent literature in low radiation dose CAC scoring

Image reconstruction: Part 1 - understanding filtered back projection, noise and image acquisition

Image reconstruction is an increasingly complex field in CT. Iterative Reconstruction (IR) is at present an adjunct to standard Filtered Back Projection (FBP) reconstruction, but could become a replacement for it. Due to its potential for scanning at lower radiation doses, IR has received a lot of attention in the medical literature and all vendors offer commercial solutions. Its use in cardiovascular CT has been driven in part due to concerns about radiation dose and image quality. This paper is the first manuscript of a pair. It aims to review the basic principles of CT scanning, to describe image reconstruction using Filtered Back Projection, and to identify the physical processes that contribute to image noise which IR may be able to compensate for. The aim is to enable cardiovascular imagers to understand what happens to the raw data prior to the reconstruction process so they may have a better appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of the various reconstruction techniques available. The second manuscript of this pair will discuss the various vendor permutations of IR in more detail, including the most recent machine learning based offerings, and critically appraise the current clinical research available on the various IR techniques used in cardiovascular CT

Image reconstruction: Part 1 – understanding filtered back projection, noise and image acquisition

© 2020 Image reconstruction is an increasingly complex field in CT. Iterative Reconstruction (IR) is at present an adjunct to standard Filtered Back Projection (FBP) reconstruction, but could become a replacement for it. Due to its potential for scanning at lower radiation doses, IR has received a lot of attention in the medical literature and all vendors offer commercial solutions. Its use in cardiovascular CT has been driven in part due to concerns about radiation dose and image quality. This paper is the first manuscript of a pair. It aims to review the basic principles of CT scanning, to describe image reconstruction using Filtered Back Projection, and to identify the physical processes that contribute to image noise which IR may be able to compensate for. The aim is to enable cardiovascular imagers to understand what happens to the raw data prior to the reconstruction process so they may have a better appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of the various reconstruction techniques available. The second manuscript of this pair will discuss the various vendor permutations of IR in more detail, including the most recent machine learning based offerings, and critically appraise the current clinical research available on the various IR techniques used in cardiovascular CT

Image reconstruction in cardiovascular CT: Part 2-Iterative reconstruction; potential and pitfalls

The use of IR in CT previously has been prohibitively complicated and time consuming, however improvements in computer processing power now make it possible on almost all CT scanners. Due to its potential to allow scanning at lower doses, IR has received a lot of attention in the medical literature and has become a successful commercial product. Its use in cardiovascular CT has been driven in part due to concerns about radiation dose and image quality. This manuscript discusses the various vendor permutations of iterative reconstruction (IR) in detail and critically appraises the current clinical research available on the various IR techniques used in cardiovascular CT

Pediatric cardiac computed tomography angiography: Expert consensus from the Filiale de Cardiologie Pédiatrique et Congénitale (FCPC) and the Société Française d’Imagerie Cardiaque et Vasculaire diagnostique et interventionnelle (SFICV)

International audienceThis article was designed to provide a pediatric cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) expert panel consensus based on opinions of experts of the Société Française d'Imagerie Cardiaque et Vasculaire diagnostique et interventionnelle (SFICV) and of the Filiale de Cardiologie Pédiatrique Congénitale (FCPC). This expert panel consensus includes recommendations for indications, patient preparation, CTA radiation dose reduction techniques, and post-processing techniques. The consensus was based on data from available literature (original papers, reviews and guidelines) and on opinions of a group of specialists with extensive experience in the use of CT imaging in congenital heart disease. In order to reach high potential and avoid pitfalls, CCTA in children with congenital heart disease requires training and experience. Moreover, pediatric cardiac CCTA protocols should be standardized to acquire optimal images in this population with the lowest radiation dose possible to prevent unnecessary radiation exposure. We also provided a suggested structured report and a list of acquisition protocols and technical parameters in relation to specific vendors

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Guided by Echocardiographic-CT Scan Fusion Early Human Clinical Experience

International audienc