%0 Journal Article
%A Simcock, IC
%A Hutchinson, JC
%A Shelmerdine, SC
%A Matos, JN
%A Sebire, NJ
%A Fuentes, VL
%A Arthurs, OJ
%D 2020
%F discovery:10115459
%I AMER VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOC
%J American Journal of Veterinary Research
%N 4
%P 326-333
%T Investigation of optimal sample preparation conditions with potassium triiodide and optimal imaging settings for microfocus computed tomography of excised cat hearts
%U https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10115459/
%V 81
%X OBJECTIVE:  To determine optimal sample preparation conditions with potassium triiodide (I2KI) and optimal imaging settings for microfocus CT (micro-CT) of  excised cat hearts.  SAMPLE  7 excised hearts (weight range, 10 to 17.6 g) obtained from healthy adult  cats after euthanasia by IV injection of pentobarbital sodium.  PROCEDURES:  Following excision, the hearts were preserved in 10% formaldehyde solution. Six hearts were immersed in 1.25% I2KI solution (n = 3) or 2.5% I2KI  solution (3) for a 12-day period. Micro-CT images were acquired at time 0  (prior to iodination) then approximately every 24 and 48 hours thereafter  to determine optimal sample preparation conditions (ie, immersion time  and concentration of I2KI solution). Identified optimal conditions were then  used to prepare the seventh heart for imaging; changes in voltage, current, exposure time, and gain on image quality were evaluated to determine  optimal settings (ie, maximal signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios).  Images were obtained at a voxel resolution of 30 mm. A detailed morphological assessment of the main cardiac structures of the seventh heart was  then performed.  RESULTS:  Immersion in 2.5% I2KI solution for 48 hours was optimal for sample preparation. The optimal imaging conditions included a tube voltage of 100 kV,  current of 150 mA, and exposure time of 354 milliseconds; scan duration  was 12 minutes.  CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:  Results provided an optimal micro-CT imaging protocol for excised cat  hearts prepared with I2KI solution that could serve as a basis for future  studies of micro-CT for high resolution 3-D imaging of cat hearts.
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