• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.6
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• pp.1493-1504
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• 2021

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the utility of the 16-cm axial volume scan technique for calculating the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) using non-enhanced chest CT. Materials and Methods This study prospectively enrolled 20 participants who underwent both, non-enhanced chest CT (16-cm-coverage axial volume scan technique) and calcium-score CT, with the same parameters, differing only in slice thickness (in non-enhanced chest CT = 0.625, 1.25, 2.5 mm; in calcium score CT = 2.5 mm). The CACS was calculated using the conventional Agatston method. The difference between the CACS obtained from the two CT scans was compared, and the degree of agreement for the clinical significance of the CACS was confirmed through sectional analysis. Each calcified lesion was classified by location and size, and a one-to-one comparison of non-contrast-enhanced chest CT and calcium score CT was performed. Results The correlation coefficients of the CACS obtained from the two CT scans for slice thickness of 2.5, 1.25, and 0.625 mm were 0.9850, 0.9688, and 0.9834, respectively. The mean differences between the CACS were -21.4% at 0.625 mm, -39.4% at 1.25 mm, and -76.2% at 2.5 mm slice thicknesses. Sectional analysis revealed that 16 (80%), 16 (80%), and 13 (65%) patients showed agreement for the degree of coronary artery disease at each slice interval, respectively. Inter-reader agreement was high for each slice interval. The 0.625 mm CT showed the highest sensitivity for detecting calcified lesions. Conclusion The values in the non-contrast-enhanced chest CT, using the 16-cm axial volume scan technique, were similar to those obtained using the CACS in the calcium score CT, at 0.625 mm slice thickness without electrocardiogram gating. This can ultimately help predict cardiovascular risk without additional radiation exposure.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.321-328
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting the heart rate, to analyze the relevance and to use it as a management index of factors of increase in heart rate. A total of 204 adults from November, 2016 to March, 2017 who responded to a personal questionnaire among the adults who underwent coronary computed tomography scans for health screening, were the target of the investigation. In the study, there was a statistically significant difference (p <.05) between the heart rate and the gender, CACS, Stenosis and the forces affecting cardiovascular disease. CACS, Stenosis had a statistically significant difference (p <.05) compared with the other groups in the group with a heart rate of 80 bpm or more, the ability to influence cardiovascular disease was different from that of other groups There was a meaning difference in the heart rate below 60 bpm group compared (p <.05). In conclusion, it is important and desirable to maintain heart rate below 60 bpm in order to prevent having cardiovascular disease history, and below 80 bpm to prevent CACS and stenosis.