Ces radiol. 2009, 63(2):163-172

4D CT-angiographyTechnical Innovation

Jiří Ferda¹, Jan Baxa¹, Hynek Mírka¹, Bernhard Schmidt², Thomas Flohr², Boris Kreuzberg¹

¹ Radiodiagnostická klinika LF UK a FN v Plzni

² Siemens Medical Solutions, CT division, Department of Development and Research, Forchheim, Německo

The presented work reviews current technical possibilities and clinical indications of four dimensional angiography using computed tomography (4D-CTA). There are two contemporary concepts of 4D imaging of cardiovascular system. The first is based on dynamic multiple acquisitions after intravenous application of iodinated contrast material with the data acquisitions in several phases of the first pass of the contrast agent. The dynamic 4D-CTA allows to display the hemodynamics in the local circulation like brain vessels or tumorous arterial supply with venous drainage. Second concept was derived from the ECG-gated CT angiography of the heart and coronary arteries. The retrospective data segmentation within one R-R interval into ten to twenty phases is the principle of the imaging of the pulsatory or shuttle-like movement of the arteries and allows also the display of the rapid flow dynamic for example jet of the rapid bleeding or whirlpool mixing of the blood with contrast agent in cardiac atria or in aneurysms. The presented review discuss the current problems of the novel imaging method with the increased dose or limited tissue coverage, the possible troubleshoots are listed.

Keywords: CT-angiography, 4D imaging, dynamic CT-angiography

Grants and funding:

Podpořeno výzkumným záměrem MSM 0021620819.

Accepted: April 15, 2009; Published: June 1, 2009  Show citation