Assessment of epicardial adipose tissue on virtual non-contrast images derived from photon-counting detector coronary CTA datasets

Abstract

• Measurement of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and attenuation are feasible on virtual non-contrast (VNC) series with excellent correlation to true non-contrast series (all R²>0.9). • Differences in VNC algorithms have a significant impact on EAT volume and CT attenuation values. • A novel VNC algorithm (VNC_PC) enables reliable assessment of EAT volume and attenuation with superior accuracy compared to measurements on conventional VNC- and CCTA-series.