Evaluation of image quality of coronary artery plaque with rapid kVp-switching dual-energy CT

Abstract We evaluated the virtual monochromatic imaging (VMI) energy levels that maximize image quality of each coronary plaque component in dual-energy computed tomography angiography in 495 coronary segments (45 for each energy level). Maximal signal-to-noise ratios were different for plaque, lumen, fat, and surrounding tissue (p VMI demonstrated maximal image quality at different energy levels for each component of coronary artery plaque.