Beam-hardening correction for virtual monochromatic imaging of myocardial perfusion via fast-switching dual-kVp 64-slice computed tomography: - A pilot study using a human heart specimen -

Abstract

Background: Investigate the effectiveness of beam-hardening (BH) correction using ECG-gated dual-kVp computed tomography (CT) for myocardial imaging. Methods and Results: A human heart specimen and artificial descending aorta were scanned using both dual-kVp and single 120-kVp modes. The myocardial CT values at the anterior and posterobasal walls were 89.4±6.2 and 87.1±6.9 HU (P=0.59) for the 69-keV images, and 88.3±5.9 and 49.9±13.5 HU (P=0.002) for the 120-kVp images, respectively. Conclusions: Fast-switching dual-kVp technology is feasible for the correction of CT value deficits induced by BH that mimics perfusion defects.