Abstract
Purpose
To compare two angiography systems of different image capture technology, one with
flat detector (FD) and one with image intensifier (II), in terms of entrance surface
air kerma (ESAK) rate, detector dose (DD) rate and image quality (IQ), in interventional
cardiology procedures concerning both adult and pediatric patients.
Materials and methods
In order to determine ESAK and DD rates, a digital dosimeter and polymethylmethacrylate
(PMMA) plates were used. For the evaluation of IQ, two contrast objects (the Leeds
TOR 18FG and a 5 mm-thick Aluminum plate) were used and two figures of merit were
defined in fluoroscopy and cine acquisition modes. Measurements of ESAK, DD rates
and IQ were made for various fields of view, pulse and frame acquisition rates.
Results
For the particular setup used in this study was noted that ESAK values in the II system
were generally larger than the respective values in the FD system (on average 70%
for fluoro mode, 5 times for cine mode). When halving the fluoroscopy pulse rate,
reduction in ESAK was not proportional, in fluoroscopy mode. Image quality evaluations
indicated that II performs better in terms of low contrast sensitivity (LCS) and signal-to-noise
ratio (SNR) than the FD system which performs better regarding high contrast resolution
(HCR). However, when considering image quality in relation to ESAK the FD system performs
better than the II system (with the exception of low thicknesses and zooms for high
pulse rates in the fluoroscopy mode).
Conclusions
The FD system, generally, provides a better image quality–dose relation than the II
system although II unit provides better LCS and SNR. This means that with the right
adjustments to both systems, FD unit is able to provide same image quality with lower
dose. However, newer technology does not automatically imply better image quality
and further investigation is necessary for deriving safe conclusions for units which
utilize different capture technology.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 07, 2012
Accepted:
February 1,
2012
Received in revised form:
December 10,
2011
Received:
May 19,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
