Objective: To investigate the efficacy of motion-correction algorithm (MCA) in improving coronary artery image quality and measurement accuracy using an anthropomorphic dynamic heart phantom and 256-detector row computed tomography (CT) scanner.
Materials and methods: An anthropomorphic dynamic heart phantom was scanned under a static condition and under heart rate (HR) simulation of 50-120 beats per minute (bpm), and the obtained images were reconstructed using conventional algorithm (CA) and MCA. We compared the subjective image quality of coronary arteries using a four-point scale (1, excellent; 2, good; 3, fair; 4, poor) and measurement accuracy using measurement errors of the minimal luminal diameter (MLD) and minimal luminal area (MLA).
Results: Compared with CA, MCA significantly improved the subjective image quality at HRs of 110 bpm (1.3 ± 0.3 vs. 1.9 ± 0.8, p = 0.003) and 120 bpm (1.7 ± 0.7 vs. 2.3 ± 0.6, p = 0.006). The measurement error of MLD significantly decreased on using MCA at 110 bpm (11.7 ± 5.9% vs. 18.4 ± 9.4%, p = 0.013) and 120 bpm (10.0 ± 7.3% vs. 25.0 ± 16.5%, p = 0.013). The measurement error of the MLA was also reduced using MCA at 110 bpm (19.2 ± 28.1% vs. 26.4 ± 21.6%, p = 0.028) and 120 bpm (17.9 ± 17.7% vs. 34.8 ± 19.6%, p = 0.018).
Conclusion: Motion-correction algorithm can improve the coronary artery image quality and measurement accuracy at a high HR using an anthropomorphic dynamic heart phantom and 256-detector row CT scanner.
Keywords: Coronary vessels; Heart rate; Imaging; Motion-correction algorithm; Phantoms; Tomography; X-ray computed.