Acad Radiol. 2016 Feb;23(2):163-7. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2015.09.003. Epub 2015 Nov 11.
Beeres M1, Wichmann JL2, Frellesen C2, Bucher AM2, Albrecht M2, Scholtz JE2, Nour-Eldin NE3, Gruber-Rouh T2, Lee C2, Vogl TJ2, Lehnert T2.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate motion artifacts, image quality, and practical differences in electrocardiographic (ECG)-gated versus non-ECG-gated high-pitch dual-source computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the whole aorta.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups, each including 40 patients, underwent either ECG-gated or non-ECG-gated high-pitch dual-source CTA of the whole aorta. The aortic annulus, aortic valve, coronary ostia, and the presence of motion artifacts of the thoracic aorta as well as vascular contrast down to the femoral arteries were independently assessed by two readers. Additional objective parameters including image noise and signal-to-noise ratio were analyzed.
RESULTS: Subjective and objective scoring revealed no presence of motional artifacts regardless of whether the ECG-gated or the non-ECG-gated protocol was used (P > 0.1). Image acquisition parameters (examination length, examination duration, radiation dose) were comparable between the two groups without significant differences. The aortic annulus, aortic valve, and coronary ostia were reliably evaluable in all patients. Vascular contrast was rated excellent in both groups.
CONCLUSIONS: High-pitch dual-source CTA of the whole aorta is a robust and dose-efficient examination strategy for the evaluation of aortic pathologies whether or not ECG gating is used.