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Physiologic Factors Linked to Image Quality of MDCT Scans RESTON, Va -- December 29, 2009 -- A study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology found that the image quality of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scans can be significantly affected by patient characteristics such as ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), and heart rate. The large multicentre, international study included 291 patients with coronary artery calcification and found that compared with examinations of white patients, studies of black patients had significantly poorer image quality. “Physiologic factors such as high heart rate, arrhythmia, obesity, and high coronary calcium burden with motion continue to limit the diagnostic accuracy of MDCT as compared with conventional invasive coronary angiography,” said lead author Melvin E. Clouse, MD, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. “Our study is significant because we found a relevant influence of BMI, heart rate, ethnicity, and breathing artifact on the degradation of image quality.” MDCT scans have been implemented in a variety of patients with suspected coronary artery disease because of its diagnostic accuracy and reliability. However “the diagnostic ability of any imaging method is directly dependent on image quality,” said Dr. Clouse. “With this new knowledge combined with new and advanced CT scanners, we have the potential to improve image quality of coronary CT angiography, further making the test even more accurate and independent of patient characteristics,” he said. SOURCE: American Roentgen Ray Society E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version