Impact of beta-blockade premedication on image quality of ECG-gated thoracic aorta CT angiography.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Thoracic aortic aneurysm is one of the most common aorta pathologies worldwide,
which is commonly evaluated by computed tomography angiography (CTA). One of the routine
methods to improve the image quality of CTA is heart rate reduction prior to study
by beta-blockade administration. PURPOSE: To assess the effect of beta-blockade on
image quality of the ascending aorta in electrocardiography (ECG)-gated dual-source
CTA (DSCTA) images. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, ECG-gated thoracic
aorta CTA images of 40 patients without beta-blocker administration were compared
with ECG-gated images of 40 patients with beta-blockade. Images of the aorta were
analyzed objectively and subjectively at three levels: sinus of Valsalva (sinus),
sinotubular junction (STJ), and mid ascending aorta (MAA). Quantitative sharpness
index (SI) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were calculated and two radiologists evaluated
the image quality using a 3-point scale. RESULTS: Mean heart rate in beta-blocker
and non-beta-blocker groups was 61.7 beats per minute (bpm) (range, 58.1-63.9 bpm)
and 72.9 bpm (range, 69.3-84.1 bpm), respectively (P < 0.05). Aorta wall SI, SNR,
and subjective grading were comparable between the two groups at all three levels
(P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Beta-blocker premedication may not be necessary for imaging
of ascending aorta with ECG-gated DSCTA.
Type
Journal articleSubject
Aorta, ThoracicHumans
Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
Observer Variation
Coronary Angiography
Electrocardiography
Premedication
Retrospective Studies
Middle Aged
Female
Male
Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/18298Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1177/0284185113516950Publication Info
Entezari, Pegah; Collins, Jeremy; Chalian, Hamid; Tore, Huseyin Gurkan; Carr, James;
& Yaghmai, Vahid (2014). Impact of beta-blockade premedication on image quality of ECG-gated thoracic aorta
CT angiography. Acta radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987), 55(10). pp. 1180-1185. 10.1177/0284185113516950. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/18298.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Hamid Chalian
Assistant Professor of Radiology

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