Table 1.

Qualitative image quality scores for delineation of outer vs. inner vessel walls of the thoracic aorta

Aortic level	Average	Reader 1	Reader 2	Weighted κ (95% CI)
Sinuses of Valsalva
Inner	1.5 ± 0.5	1.5 ± 0.6	1.5 ± 0.6	0.86 (0.70–1.0)
Outer	2.1 ± 0.7	2.1 ± 0.7	2.1 ± 0.8	0.78 (0.62–0.93)
P-value (t-test)	< 0.001	< 0.001	< 0.001	NA
Sinotubular junction
Inner	1.6 ± 0.5	1.6 ± 0.5	1.5 ± 0.5	0.74 (0.53–0.95)
Outer	2.3 ± 0.6	2.3 ± 0.7	2.3 ± 0.6	0.62 (0.42–0.82)
P-value (t-test)	< 0.001	< 0.001	< 0.001	NA
Ascending aorta
Inner	1.3 ± 0.5	1.3 ± 0.6	1.3 ± 0.6	0.82 (0.65–0.99)
Outer	2.1 ± 0.6	2.1 ± 0.6	2.2 ± 0.6	0.79 (0.57–1.0)
P-value (t-test)	< 0.001	< 0.001	< 0.001	NA
Mid-aortic arch
Inner	1.2 ± 0.4	1.3 ± 0.5	1.2 ± 0.4	0.86 (0.69–1.0)
Outer	2.1 ± 0.6	2.1 ± 0.6	2.1 ± 0.6	0.79 (0.60–0.97)
P-value (t-test)	< 0.001	< 0.001	< 0.001	NA
Descending aorta
Inner	1.2 ± 0.4	1.2 ± 0.5	1.1 ± 0.3	0.85 (0.65–1.0)
Outer	2.4 ± 0.5	2.4 ± 0.5	2.4 ± 0.5	0.84 (0.66–1.0)
P-value (t-test)	< 0.001	< 0.001	< 0.001	NA

T-test was performed for comparison of mean differences. Significant differences are in bold (significant at p < 0.05)

A four point-scale regarding sharp anatomic delineation of inner and outer edges of the vessel was used: 1 = excellent definition with sharp delineation and high contrast; 2 = well defined with good contrast; 3 = poorly defined with low contrast; 4 = not visualized

NA  not  applicable