Influence Of A Post-Processing Filter On Image Quality Of The Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Using 64-Slice Spiral CT

Objective To evaluate the influence of an adaptive postprocessing filter (C2) on CT cardiac images of the left anterior descending coronary artery and to discuss the possibility of achieving low dose in cardiac scan.Methods Sixty patients were underwent cardiac scans using GE LightSpeed 64-slice VCT/XT. On 33 patients(group A),Cardiac images were reconstructed with the use of C2 ,21 male and 12 female . On 27 patients(group B), Cardiac images were reconstructed without the use of C2, 17 male and 10 female. The scan techniques were 120 kV, group B mA tailored to BMI, group A based on mA tailored to BMI further reduced by 20%.①Two experienced radiologist s were asked to quantitatively evaluate the image quality blindly in terms of the number of the left anterior descending coronary artery and smaller branches identified , the sharpness of vessel edges and the clarity of contrast agent in the vessel using scores of 1 - 4 with 4 being the highest .②C TDIvol values from A and B groups were converted into effective dose(ED).③We performed statistical analysis on the quality scores and the ED values from the two groups.Results The image quality scores for A and B groups were 3.44±0.58 and 3.43±0.51, respectively , it indicated no statistically significant difference ( P > 0. 05) . However , there was significant difference in the ED values between groups A and B [(3.24±1.11)mSv vs.(4.05±1.30)mSv, P < 0. 05].Conclusion The adaptive post-processing filter provided with the GE LightSpeed VCT/XT in cardiac scan,reducing the tube current, but does not affect image quality, which in order to further reduce the radiation dose study provides the possibility.