Which aspect of image quality can be improved by using electrocardiogram (EKG) gating?

Using electrocardiogram (EKG) gating enhances temporal resolution in imaging. Temporal resolution refers to the ability to accurately capture and represent dynamic changes over time, which is particularly vital in cardiac imaging. EKG gating synchronizes the data acquisition with the cardiac cycle, allowing the CT scanner to collect images at specific intervals during the heartbeat. This synchronization minimizes motion artifacts caused by the beating heart, leading to clearer and more accurate images of the heart's anatomical structures and function.

In contexts such as CT angiography or cardiac studies, improved temporal resolution enables better visualization of fast-moving structures, facilitating more precise diagnosis of cardiac conditions. The other aspects like spatial resolution, contrast resolution, and image sharpness are essential factors in imaging but are not directly enhanced by EKG gating in the same way that temporal resolution is.