Ves-GAN: Unsupervised Vessel-Targeted Low-Dose Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Denoising Framework

Objective: This study aims to develop an unsupervised denoising framework for low-dose coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography (LDCTA), which reduces noise while preserving vascular structures. Impact Statement: This work proposes Ves-GAN, a novel denoising framework that meets the challenges...

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Main Authors: Xinyuan Xiang, Jiayue Li, Yan Yi, Yining Wang, Sixing Yin, Xiaohe Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2025-01-01
Series:BME Frontiers
Online Access:https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/bmef.0149
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author Xinyuan Xiang
Jiayue Li
Yan Yi
Yining Wang
Sixing Yin
Xiaohe Chen
author_facet Xinyuan Xiang
Jiayue Li
Yan Yi
Yining Wang
Sixing Yin
Xiaohe Chen
author_sort Xinyuan Xiang
collection DOAJ
description Objective: This study aims to develop an unsupervised denoising framework for low-dose coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography (LDCTA), which reduces noise while preserving vascular structures. Impact Statement: This work proposes Ves-GAN, a novel denoising framework that meets the challenges of data acquisition and assumptions about noise characteristics. By providing robust noise reduction while maintaining vascular integrity, Ves-GAN facilitates more reliable clinical evaluations and improves the overall quality of cardiovascular diagnosis. Introduction: LDCTA minimizes radiation exposure in cardiovascular imaging but introduces noise and blurring, affecting diagnostic accuracy. Existing denoising methods, such as supervised deep learning models, require paired datasets and rely on noise assumptions. Unsupervised models show promise but often fail to preserve vascular structures, limiting clinical application. Methods: Ves-GAN incorporates a high-frequency-aware data augmentation strategy for robust generalization. The generator employs a high-frequency squeeze-and-excitation module to improve sensitivity to fine vascular features. Additionally, a vessel-consistency loss is introduced to preserve structural integrity during the denoising process. Results: On average, Ves-GAN achieves 7.5% and 10.2% improvements in peak signal-to-noise ratio and structural similarity index metrics compared to existing unsupervised models. Clinical validation involved 50 CT scans reviewed by 3 radiologists, who noted substantial enhancements in vascular clarity and lesion visibility. Conclusion: Ves-GAN outperforms existing unsupervised models in preserving vascular details and noise reduction, significantly enhancing clinical diagnostic reliability.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2765-8031
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
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spelling doaj-art-32e69ab8311349a69e64aea8fc1fa3762025-08-20T03:31:27ZengAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)BME Frontiers2765-80312025-01-01610.34133/bmef.0149Ves-GAN: Unsupervised Vessel-Targeted Low-Dose Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Denoising FrameworkXinyuan Xiang0Jiayue Li1Yan Yi2Yining Wang3Sixing Yin4Xiaohe Chen5School of Information and Communication Engineering, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, China.School of Information Science and Technology, North China University of Technology, Beijing, China.Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.School of Information and Communication Engineering, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, China.College of Artificial Intelligence, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, China.Objective: This study aims to develop an unsupervised denoising framework for low-dose coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography (LDCTA), which reduces noise while preserving vascular structures. Impact Statement: This work proposes Ves-GAN, a novel denoising framework that meets the challenges of data acquisition and assumptions about noise characteristics. By providing robust noise reduction while maintaining vascular integrity, Ves-GAN facilitates more reliable clinical evaluations and improves the overall quality of cardiovascular diagnosis. Introduction: LDCTA minimizes radiation exposure in cardiovascular imaging but introduces noise and blurring, affecting diagnostic accuracy. Existing denoising methods, such as supervised deep learning models, require paired datasets and rely on noise assumptions. Unsupervised models show promise but often fail to preserve vascular structures, limiting clinical application. Methods: Ves-GAN incorporates a high-frequency-aware data augmentation strategy for robust generalization. The generator employs a high-frequency squeeze-and-excitation module to improve sensitivity to fine vascular features. Additionally, a vessel-consistency loss is introduced to preserve structural integrity during the denoising process. Results: On average, Ves-GAN achieves 7.5% and 10.2% improvements in peak signal-to-noise ratio and structural similarity index metrics compared to existing unsupervised models. Clinical validation involved 50 CT scans reviewed by 3 radiologists, who noted substantial enhancements in vascular clarity and lesion visibility. Conclusion: Ves-GAN outperforms existing unsupervised models in preserving vascular details and noise reduction, significantly enhancing clinical diagnostic reliability.https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/bmef.0149
spellingShingle Xinyuan Xiang
Jiayue Li
Yan Yi
Yining Wang
Sixing Yin
Xiaohe Chen
Ves-GAN: Unsupervised Vessel-Targeted Low-Dose Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Denoising Framework
BME Frontiers
title Ves-GAN: Unsupervised Vessel-Targeted Low-Dose Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Denoising Framework
title_full Ves-GAN: Unsupervised Vessel-Targeted Low-Dose Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Denoising Framework
title_fullStr Ves-GAN: Unsupervised Vessel-Targeted Low-Dose Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Denoising Framework
title_full_unstemmed Ves-GAN: Unsupervised Vessel-Targeted Low-Dose Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Denoising Framework
title_short Ves-GAN: Unsupervised Vessel-Targeted Low-Dose Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Denoising Framework
title_sort ves gan unsupervised vessel targeted low dose coronary computed tomography angiography denoising framework
url https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/bmef.0149
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AT yanyi vesganunsupervisedvesseltargetedlowdosecoronarycomputedtomographyangiographydenoisingframework
AT yiningwang vesganunsupervisedvesseltargetedlowdosecoronarycomputedtomographyangiographydenoisingframework
AT sixingyin vesganunsupervisedvesseltargetedlowdosecoronarycomputedtomographyangiographydenoisingframework
AT xiaohechen vesganunsupervisedvesseltargetedlowdosecoronarycomputedtomographyangiographydenoisingframework