Sequential Helical-Axial-Helical Triple-Rule-Out CT Angiography: Technical Feasibility and Territory-Specific Image Quality in the Emergency Department.

Background/

Objectives

Triple-rule-out CT angiography (TRO-CTA) enables simultaneous evaluation of coronary, pulmonary, and aortic causes of acute chest pain, but conventional single-acquisition protocols may compromise vascular enhancement because of conflicting contrast timing requirements. This study evaluated whether a physiology-based sequential helical-axial-helical acquisition strategy could provide consistent tri-territory enhancement in emergency settings.

Methods

In this retrospective single-center study, 71 consecutive evaluable emergency department patients (mean age, 66.6 ± 17.0 years; 33 women) with undifferentiated acute chest pain underwent TRO-CTA using a structured sequential protocol (pulmonary, coronary, and aortic phases) guided by individualized test-bolus timing. Objective image quality was assessed using vascular attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR); subjective image quality was independently graded by two radiologists.

Results

Mean vascular attenuation exceeded predefined diagnostic thresholds in all territories (pulmonary 546.7 ± 237.8 HU [95% CI, 490.4-603.0]; coronary 438.8 ± 113.9 HU [95% CI, 411.9-465.8]; aortic 604.3 ± 190.9 HU [95% CI, 559.2-649.5]). Diagnostic interpretability was achieved in all three territories in every technically analyzable examination without repeat contrast-enhanced imaging. Median subjective image-quality scores were 5 (IQR, 4-5) for pulmonary, 4.5 (IQR, 4-5) for coronary, and 4 (IQR, 4-5) for aortic phases; interobserver agreement was good to excellent. Mean total DLP was 461.5 ± 122.5 mGy·cm.

Conclusions

A sequential physiology-based TRO-CTA strategy is technically feasible in a tertiary emergency setting and provides consistent tri-territory enhancement. Because this was a single-arm technical validation study, prospective comparative and outcome-based studies are required to confirm its clinical impact.