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- De Geer, Jakob, 1970-
(författare)
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On the use of computed tomography in cardiac imaging
- 2016
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- BackgroundCardiac Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) is becoming increasingly useful in the work‐up of coronary artery disease (CAD). Several potential methods for increasing the diagnostic yield of cardiac CT are available.Purpose Study I: To investigate whether the use of a 2‐D, non‐linear adaptive noise reduction filter can improve CCTA image quality.Study II: To evaluate the variation in adenosine stress dynamic CT perfusion (CTP) blood flow as compared to stress 99mTc SPECT. Secondly, to compare the perfusion results from manual and automatic myocardial CTP segmentation.Study III: To evaluate the accuracy of non‐invasive, CCTA‐derived Fractional Flow Reserve (cFFR).Study IV: To evaluate the prognostic value of CCTA in terms of major adverse cardiac events (MACE).Materials and methodsStudy I: Single images from 36 consecutive CCTA exams performed with two different dose levels were used. Image quality in full dose, low‐dose and noise‐reduced low‐dose images was graded using visual grading analysis. Image noise was measured.Study II: CTP and SPECT were performed in 17 patients, and the variation in per AHA‐segment blood flow was evaluated and compared. CTP results from manual and automated image segmentation were compared.Study III: CCTA datasets from 21 patients were processed using cFFR software and the results compared to the corresponding invasively measured FFR (invFFR).Study IV: 1205 consecutive patients with chest pain of unknown origin underwent CCTA. Baseline data and data on subsequent MACE were retrieved from relevant registries. Survival, hazard ratios and the three‐year incidence of cardiac events and readmissions were calculated.Results Study I: There was significant improvement in perceived image quality for all criteria when the filter was applied, and a significant decrease in image noise.Study II: The correlation coefficients for CTP vs. SPECT were 0.38 and 0.41 (p<0.001, for manual and automated segmentation respectively. Mean per patient CTP blood flow in normal segments varied between 94‐183 ml/100 ml tissue/min for manual segmentation, and 104‐196 ml/100 ml tissue/min for automated segmentation. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient for manual vs. automated segmentation CTP was ρ = 0.88 (p<0.001) and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was 0.93 (p<0.001).Study III: The Spearman rank correlation coefficient for cFFR vs. invFFR was ρ = 0.77 (p<0.001) and the ICC was 0.73 (p<0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for significant stenosis (FFR<0.80, per vessel) were 0.83, 0.76, 0.56 and 0.93 respectively.Study IV: The hazard ratio for non‐obstructive CAD vs. normal coronary arteries was 5.13 (95% C.I 1.03‐25.43, p<0.05), and 151.40 (95% C.I 37.03‐619.08, p<0.001) for obstructive CAD vs. normal coronary arteries. The three‐year incidence of MACE was 1.1% for patients with normal vessels on CCTA, 2.5% for patients with non‐obstructive CAD and 42.7% for patients with obstructive CAD (p<0.001).Conclusions:Study I: Image quality and noise levels of low dose images were significantly improved with the filter, even though the improvement was small compared to the image quality of the corresponding diastolic full‐dose images.Study II: Correlation between dynamic CTP and SPECT was positive but weak. There were large variations in CTP blood flow in normal segments on SPECT, rendering the definition of an absolute cut‐off value for normal vs. ischemic myocardium difficult. Manual and automatic segmentation were equally useful.Study III: The correlation between cFFR and invFFR was good, indicating that noninvasively estimated cFFR performs on a similar level as invasively measure FFR. Study IV: The long‐term risk for MACE was very low in patients without obstructive CAD on CCTA, though there seemed to be a substantial increase in the risk for MACE even in patients with non‐obstructive CAD as compared to normal coronary arteries. In addition, even patients with normal coronary arteries or non‐obstructive CAD continued to have a substantial number of readmissions for chest pain or angina pectoris.
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| 3. |
- de Geer, Jakob, et al.
(författare)
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The efficacy of 2D, non-linear noise reduction filtering in cardiac imaging: a pilot study
- 2011
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Ingår i: Acta Radiologica. - : Informa Healthcare / Wiley-Blackwell / Royal Society of Medicine Press. - 0284-1851 .- 1600-0455. ; 52:7, s. 716-722
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Computed tomography (CT) is becoming increasingly popular as a non-invasive method for visualizing the coronary arteries but patient radiation doses are still an issue. Postprocessing filters such as 2D adaptive non-linear filters might help to reduce the dose without loss of image quality. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanPurpose: To investigate whether the use of a 2D, non-linear adaptive noise reduction filter can improve image quality in cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA). less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMaterial and Methods: CCTA examinations were performed in 36 clinical patients on a dual source CT using two patient dose levels: maximum dose during diastole and reduced dose (20% of maximum dose) during systole. One full-dose and one reduced-dose image were selected from each of the examinations. The reduced-dose image was duplicated and one copy postprocessed using a 2D non-linear adaptive noise reduction filter, resulting in three images per patient. Image quality was assessed using visual grading with three criteria from the European guidelines for assessment of image quality and two additional criteria regarding the left main artery and the overall image quality. Also, the HU value and its standard deviation were measured in the ascending and descending aorta. Data were analyzed using Visual Grading Regression and paired t-test. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResult: For all five criteria, there was a significant (P andlt; 0.01 or better) improvement in perceived image quality when comparing postprocessed low-dose images with low-dose images without noise reduction. Comparing full dose images with postprocessed low-dose images resulted in a considerably larger, significant (P andlt; 0.001) difference. Also, there was a significant reduction of the standard deviation of the HU values in the ascending and descending aorta when comparing postprocessed low-dose images with low-dose images without postprocessing. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusion: Even with an 80% dose reduction, there was a significant improvement in the perceived image quality when using a 2D noise-reduction filter, though not approaching the quality of full-dose images. This indicates that cardiac CT examinations could benefit from noise-reducing postprocessing with 2D non-linear adaptive filters.
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| 4. |
- Eriksson, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Non-invasive investigations of potential renal artery stenosis in renal insufficiency
- 2010
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Ingår i: Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation. - : Oxford University Press. - 0931-0509 .- 1460-2385. ; 25:11, s. 3607-3614
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. The diagnostic value of non-invasive methods for diagnosing renal artery stenosis in patients with renal insufficiency is incompletely known. Methods. Forty-seven consecutive patients with moderately impaired renal function and a clinical suspicion of renal artery stenosis were investigated with computed tomography angiography (CTA), gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), contrast-enhanced Doppler ultrasound and captopril renography. The primary reference standard was stenosis reducing the vessel diameter by at least 50% on CTA, and an alternative reference standard (‘morphological and functional stenosis’) was defined as at least 50% diameter reduction on CTA or MRA, combined with a positive finding from ultrasound or captopril renography. Results. The frequency of positive findings, calculated on the basis of individual patients, was 70% for CTA, 60% for MRA, 53% for ultrasound and 30% for captopril renography. Counting kidneys rather than patients, corresponding frequencies were 53%, 41%, 29% and 15%, respectively. In relation to the CTA standard, the sensitivity (and specificity) at the patient level was 0.81 (0.79) for MRA, 0.70 (0.89) for ultrasound and 0.42 (1.00) for captopril renography, and at the kidney level 0.76 (0.82), 0.53 (0.81) and 0.30 (0.86), respectively. Relative to the alternative reference standard, corresponding values at the patient level were 1.00 (0.62) for CTA, 0.90 (0.69) for MRA, 0.91 (1.00) for ultrasound and 0.67 (1.00) for captopril renography, and at the kidney level 0.96 (0.76), 0.85 (0.79), 0.71 (0.97) and 0.50 (0.97), respectively. Conclusions. CTA and MRA are superior to ultrasound and captopril renography at diagnosing morphological stenosis, but ultrasound may be useful as a screening method and captopril renography for verifying renin-dependent hypertension.
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- Smedby, Örjan, et al.
(författare)
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Quantifying effects of post-processing with visual grading regression
- 2012
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Ingår i: Medical Imaging 2012: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment. - : SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. - 9780819489678 ; , s. Art. no. 83181N-
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- For optimization and evaluation of image quality, one can use visual grading experiments, where observers rate some aspect of image quality on an ordinal scale. To take into account the ordinal character of the data, ordinal logistic regression is used in the statistical analysis, an approach known as visual grading regression (VGR). In the VGR model one may include factors such as imaging parameters and post-processing procedures, in addition to patient and observer identity. In a single-image study, 9 radiologists graded 24 cardiac CTA images acquired with ECG-modulated tube current using standard settings (310 mAs), reduced dose (62 mAs) and reduced dose after post-processing. Image quality was assessed using visual grading with five criteria, each with a five-level ordinal scale from 1 (best) to 5 (worst). The VGR model included one term estimating the dose effect (log of mAs setting) and one term estimating the effect of postprocessing. The model predicted that 115 mAs would be required to reach an 80% probability of a score of 1 or 2 for visually sharp reproduction of the heart without the post-processing filter. With the post-processing filter, the corresponding figure would be 86 mAs. Thus, applying the post-processing corresponded to a dose reduction of 25%. For other criteria, the dose-reduction was estimated to 16-26%. Using VGR, it is thus possible to quantify the potential for dose-reduction of post-processing filters.
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| 6. |
- Smedby, Örjan, et al.
(författare)
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Quantifying the potential for dose reduction with visual grading regression
- 2013
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Ingår i: British Journal of Radiology. - : British Institute of Radiology. - 0007-1285 .- 1748-880X. ; 86:1021
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives To propose a method to study the effect of exposure settings on image quality and to estimate the potential for dose reduction when introducing dose-reducing measures.Methods Using the framework of visual grading regression (VGR), a log(mAs) term is included in the ordinal logistic regression equation, so that the effect of reducing the dose can be quantitatively related to the effect of adding post-processing. In the ordinal logistic regression, patient and observer identity are treated as random effects using generalised linear latent and mixed models. The potential dose reduction is then estimated from the regression coefficients. The method was applied in a single-image study of coronary CT angiography (CTA) to evaluate two-dimensional (2D) adaptive filters, and in an image-pair study of abdominal CT to evaluate 2D and three-dimensional (3D) adaptive filters.Results For five image quality criteria in coronary CTA, dose reductions of 16–26% were predicted when adding 2D filtering. Using five image quality criteria for abdominal CT, it was estimated that 2D filtering permits doses were reduced by 32–41%, and 3D filtering by 42–51%.Conclusions VGR including a log(mAs) term can be used for predictions of potential dose reduction that may be useful for guiding researchers in designing subsequent studies evaluating diagnostic value. With appropriate statistical analysis, it is possible to obtain direct numerical estimates of the dose-reducing potential of novel acquisition, reconstruction or post-processing techniques.
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| 7. |
- Smedby, Örjan, et al.
(författare)
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Visual grading regression with random effects
- 2012
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Ingår i: MEDICAL IMAGING 2012: IMAGE PERCEPTION, OBSERVER PERFORMANCE, AND TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT. - : SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. - 9780819489678 ; , s. Art. no. 831805-
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- To analyze visual grading experiments, ordinal logistic regression (here called visual grading regression, VGR) may be used in the statistical analysis. In addition to types of imaging or post-processing, the VGR model may include factors such as patient and observer identity, which should be treated as random effects. Standard software does not allow random factors in ordinal logistic regression, but using Generalized Linear Latent And Mixed Models (GLLAMM) this is possible. In a single-image study, 9 radiologists graded 24 cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) images with reduced dose without and after post-processing with a 2D adaptive filter, using five image quality criteria. First, standard ordinal logistic regression was carried out, treating filtering, patient and observer identity as fixed effects. The same analysis was then repeated with GLLAMM, treating filtering as a fixed effect and patient and observer identity as random effects. With both approaches, a significant effect (pless than0.01) of the filtering was found for all five criteria. No dramatic differences in parameter estimates or significance levels were found between the two approaches. It is concluded that random effects can be appropriately handled in VGR using GLLAMM, but no major differences in the results were found in a preliminary evaluation.
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| 8. |
- Wang, Chunliang, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Can segmented 3D images be used for stenosis evaluation in coronary CT angiography?
- 2012
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Ingår i: Acta Radiologica. - : Sage Publications. - 0284-1851 .- 1600-0455. ; 53:8, s. 845-851
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Thanks to the development of computed tomography (CT) scanners and computer software, accurate coronary artery segmentation can be achieved with minimum user interaction. However, the question remains whether we can use these segmented images for reliable diagnosis. Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) using segmented 3D data for the detection of significant stenosis. Material and Methods: CCTA data-sets from 30 patients were acquired with a 64-slice CT scanner and segmented using the region growing (RG) method and the "virtual contrast injection" (VC) method. Three types of images of each patient were reviewed by different reviewers for the presence of stenosis with diameter reduction of 50% or more. The evaluation was performed on four main arteries of each patient (120 arteries in total). For the original series, the reviewer was allowed to use all the 2D and 3D visualization tools available (conventional method). For the segmented results from RG and VC, only maximum intensity projection was used. Evaluation results were compared with catheter angiography (CA) for each artery in a blinded fashion. Results: Overall, 34 arteries with significant stenosis were identified by CA. The percentage of evaluable arteries, accuracy and negative predictive value for detecting stenosis were, respectively, 86%, 74%, and 93% for the conventional method, 83%, 71%, and 92% for VC, and 64%, 56%, and 93% for RG. Accuracy was significantly lower for the RG method than for the other two methods (P < 0.01), whereas there was no significant difference in accuracy between the VC method and the conventional method (P = 0.22). Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy for the RG-segmented 3D data is lower than those with access to 2D images, whereas the VC method shows diagnostic accuracy similar to the conventional method.
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