Multi-dimensional cardiac post-processing and visualization in dual-source computed tomography

PhD ceremony: Ms. G.J. de Jonge, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Thesis: Multi-dimensional cardiac post-processing and visualization in dual-source computed tomography

Promotor(s): prof. M. Oudkerk

Faculty: Medical Sciences 

 

Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is rapidly gaining ground as a diagnostic modality in patients with known or suspected heart disease. Within the last decade a fast technical development has taken place, from 4-slice MDCT to dual-source technology and 320-slice scanners, with ever increasing gantry rotation speed and, consequently, increasing temporal resolution. These rapid technological advances rendered cardiac CT as a modality able to depict the coronary arteries as well as cardiac anatomy and cardiac function.

As a result of these developments in scanners and also scanning techniques, the amount of data acquired using CT is high and still increasing. This requires the use of advanced post-processing techniques for visualization and (quantitative) evaluation of the acquired datasets. This thesis evaluates the feasibility of different types of post-processing in cardiac dual-source CT (DSCT) in the assessment of the coronary arteries as well as cardiac function.