Ricerc@Sapienza

PURPOSE:
The aim of this study will be to compare image quality, coronary interpretability and dose exposition of prospective and retrospective ECG-gated 320-multislice CT coronary angiography (CCTA).

METHODS:
In this randomized study we will prospectively enroll consecutive patients that will undergo ECG-gated 320-detector row coronary CT angiography (CCTA) (Aquilion ONE, Canon Medical Systems). Randomization will be computed assisted. Patients will be divided into two groups: patients that undergo prospective ECG-gated CCTA (Group A) and patients that undergo retrospective ECG-gated CCTA (Group B).
Examinations will be evaluated for coronary artery disease (CAD). The subjective analysis will be performed by two radiologists in consensus. Coronary arteries interpretability will be evaluate both on a per-vessels and a per-segment basis. Image quality will be assessed using a Likert scale. Heart rate (HR) during CCTA acquisition and dosimetric features will be also collected and compared.

EXPECTED RESULTS:
We will expect to find in ECG-gated multi-layer CCTA prospective acquisition protocol a significant reduction in radiation dose while maintaining diagnostic image quality without any loss of diagnostic accuracy.
Preliminary data on 30 patients showed that no significant differences in overall image quality were observed between group A and B. Low percentages of non-interpretable coronary arteries were obtained on per-vessel (1.9% and 1.7% respectively) and per-segment analysis (2% and 1.8% respectively), without any statistically difference between two groups (p=0.057). Dose exposure was significantly higher in Group B than group A(p

EXPECTED CONCLUSIONS:
We expect a significant reduction in radiation exposure doses without affecting image quality and it would be a great benefit for patients at intermediate risk of CAD who will need to undergo CCTA.