Correlation between the pericoronary fat attenuation index and the CT image reconstruction parameters

Lihong Chen; Gongting Chen; Ganglian Fan; Yanan LI; Tingting QU; Le Cao; Zhijie Jian; Jianxin Guo

Return

Correlation between the pericoronary fat attenuation index and the CT image reconstruction parameters

VernacularTitle:冠状动脉周围脂肪衰减指数与CT图像重建参数的相关性研究
Author: Lihong CHEN ¹ ; Gongting CHEN ¹ ; Ganglian FAN ¹ ; Yanan LI ¹ ; Tingting QU ¹ ; Le CAO ¹ ; Zhijie JIAN ¹ ; Jianxin GUO ¹
Author Information

1. Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: coronary artery; atherosclerosis; computed tomography (CT); reconstruction parameter; pericoronary fat
From: Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(4):547-551
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: 【Objective】 To evaluate the relationship between the pericoronary fat attenuation index (FAI) and the image reconstruction parameters of computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography, including reconstruction kernel, iterative reconstruction algorithm and image thickness. 【Methods】 Forty-four CT coronary angiography scans were prospectively enrolled. All scans were reconstructed by three means as follows: ① Four different kernels (Soft_AA, Soft_BA, Soft_CA, and Soft_DA, sharpness from low to high) as the iterative reconstruction algorithm (KARL5) and image thickness (0.5 mm) remained unchanged. ② Filtered back projection (FBP) and iterative reconstruction kernel (KARL5) as the kernel and image thickness (0.5 mm) remained unchanged. ③ Different image thickness (0.5 mm and 1 mm) as the kernel (Soft_AA) and iterative reconstruction algorithm (KARL5) remained unchanged. The FAI of left anterior descending artery (LAD), left circumflex artery (LCX), and right coronary artery (RCA) was calculated using a dedicated software. Paired t-test and analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. 【Results】 For LAD, LCX and RCA: ① The differences of FAI among different reconstruction kernels reached statistical significance (P<0.001), and FAI decreased as the sharper kernel was used. ② Compared with FBP, the FAI of KARL5-reconstructed images significantly increased (P<0.001). ③ Compared with 0.5 mm, the FAI of images with 1.0 mm thickness significantly decreased (P<0.001). 【Conclusion】 The kernel, iterative reconstruction algorithms, and image thickness all have a significant impact on the FAI of each coronary artery. When using FAI for clinical diagnosis, the effect of CT reconstruction parameters should be taken into account.