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Figure 2 Comparison of Image Quality in the 4 Patient Subgroups

The image quality seen in the 4 patient subgroups is shown for a single- and dual-source computed tomography (CT) with and without systematic pretreatment to lower the heart rate. A transaxial cross-sectional image at the level of the mid right coronary artery and a curved multiplanar reconstruction are shown. Transaxial image (A) (arrow = right coronary artery) and curved multiplanar reconstruction of the right coronary artery (B) in a patient studied by a single-source CT without heart rate control. Heart rate was 78 beats/min; biphasic reconstruction was used. The arrow in B points at a typical misalignment artifact. Transaxial image (C) (arrow = right coronary artery) and curved multiplanar reconstruction of the right coronary artery (D) in a patient studied by a single-source CT with heart rate control. Heart rate during CT was 56 beats/min. Transaxial image (E) (arrow = right coronary artery) and curved multiplanar reconstruction of the right coronary artery (F) in a patient studied by dual-source CT without heart rate control. Heart rate during CT was 82 beats/min. Transaxial image (G) (arrow = right coronary artery) and curved multiplanar reconstruction of the right coronary artery (H) in a patient studied by dual-source CT with heart rate control. Heart rate during dual-source CT was 54 beats/min.