Aquilion 64

Prior to CT acquisition, patients with a high heart rate, defined as >65 beats per minute, received oral oral β-blockers (metoprolol 50 or 100 mg, single dose, 1 h before examination), if tolerated. Depending on the residual kidney function, pre and post procedural measures were taken in order to prevent further deterioration. These measures included pre and post procedural hydration (dose and route depending on the patients residual kidney function) and moreover in hemodialysis patients the scan was performed on the day prior to the next dialysis session.
Examinations were performed with a 64-detector row CT Scanner (Aquilion 64, Toshiba Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) or a 320-detector row CT scanner (Aquilion ONE, Toshiba, Tokyo, Japan) as previously described [11 (link)].
Data analysis was performed by two experienced CT observers (Including JWJ). If there was no consensus between these two reviewers a 3^rd independent reviewer was consulted. Data of all major epicardial segments (in the RCA segments 1–3; in the LAD segments 5–8; and in the LCx segments 11 and 13) was analysed as previously described. Significant CAD was defined as coronary luminal narrowing of ≥ 50% [11 (link)].

CT examinations were performed using a 64-slice CT scanner (Aquilion 64, Toshiba Medical Systems Co., Ltd., Tochigi, Japan) with a collimation of 64 × 0.5 mm, pixel size of 0.39 × 0.39 mm, gantry rotation time of 350 msec, and tube voltage of 120 kV. The protocol of premedication and CT scan have been described previously [8 (link)]. A noncontrast scan was performed at the level of the umbilicus in order to assess the abdominal VAT area. Only one slice at the umbilical level was captured for the sake of reducing radiation exposure. The reconstructed image data were analyzed by a computer workstation (Ziostation2, Ziosoft Inc., Tokyo, Japan).