Somatom definition flash

Under general anesthesia, domestic swine (female sex, 20–30kg, n=8) underwent a baseline CT scan during sinus rhythm using either a dual-source 128-slice CT scanner (Siemens SOMATOM Definition Flash, n=5) or a single-source 320-slice CT scanner (Toshiba Aquilion ONE, n=3). Multi-cycle reconstruction was used to maximize the essential temporal resolution (up to 37 ms and 58 ms in the dual-source and single-source scanner, respectively). IV contrast iodixanol was infused at a rate of 2–5 ml/sec for a total of 60–100 ml. Ventilation was suspended at the end of expiration and imaging performed using a retrospective ECG gating with no tube-current modulation. After the animal was allowed to recover for at least 36–48 hours to clear IV contrast from the system, the animal was brought to the surgical suite and underwent median sternotomy under general anesthesia (n=6). Fifteen to thirty radiopaque glass beads (3-mm diameter) were sutured to both the atria such that they were evenly spread over the atrial surface (Figure 2A). The chest cavity was approximated to maintain the normal geometry of the thorax. Post-operatively, the animal received another CT scan during sinus rhythm with the same imaging protocol as the baseline CT scan as described above. After the scan was completed, the animal was euthanized with IV barbiturate overdose followed by KCl injection.