Abstract:
Objective: To systematically review and meta-analyze the effectiveness of super-resolution deep learning-based reconstruction (SR-DLR) in optimizing the quality of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) images. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, VIP, Wanfang, and CNKI databases were searched to identify studies that compared SR-DLR with other reconstruction algorithms applied to CCTA. Studies reported from the date of database inception to March 1, 2025 were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of the literature was assessed using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) risk of bias assessment criteria for cross-sectional studies. Evaluation criteria and relevant data were extracted from the literature, and the corresponding data were pooled. Data analyses, including heterogeneity testing and effect size calculation, were performed using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 17.0 software. Results: According to the meta-analysis results, SR-DLR showed significant advantages over traditional hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR), and normal-resolution deep learning-based reconstruction (NR-DLR) in reducing image noise, improving both the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and enhancing overall image quality. Specifically, SR-DLR significantly reduced image noise: standard mean difference (
SMD)
SR-DLR vs. HIR=−2.64 (95%CI −3.40~−1.88,
P<0.01),
SMDSR-DLR vs. MBIR=−2.90 (95%CI −4.82~−0.98,
P<0.01), and
SMDSR-DLR vs. NR-DLR=−1.42 (95%CI −2.06~−0.77,
P<0.01). SR-DLR also significantly improved the CNR:
SMDSR-DLR vs. HIR=1.85 (95%CI 1.34~2.36,
P<0.01),
SMDSR-DLR vs. MBIR=1.43 (95%CI 0.37~2.49,
P=0.01), and
SMDSR-DLR vs. NR-DLR=0.72 (95%CI 0.49~0.94,
P<0.01). With regard to SNR improvement, SR-DLR was significantly superior to HIR, MBIR, and NR-DLR:
SMDSR-DLR vs. HIR=1.23 (95% CI 0.91~1.54,
P<0.01),
SMDSR-DLR vs. MBIR=0.38 (95% CI 0.05~0.72,
P=0.02), and
SMDSR-DLR vs. NR-DLR=0.45 (95% CI 0.24~0.65,
P<0.01). Furthermore, SR-DLR significantly outperformed the other algorithms in enhancing overall image quality:
SMDSR-DLR vs. HIR=9.07 (95% CI 5.48~12.66,
P<0.01),
SMDSR-DLR vs. MBIR=1.89 (95% CI 1.58~2.21,
P<0.01), and
SMDSR-DLR vs. NR-DLR=1.90 (95% CI 0.48~3.32,
P=0.01). Conclusion: SR-DLR was concluded to be the best technology for optimizing the image quality of CCTA and holds broad prospects for clinical application.