title: Feasibility of contrast material volume reduction in coronary artery imaging using 320-slice volume CT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess reduced volumes of contrast agent on image quality for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) by using single-beat cardiac imaging with 320-slice CT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty consecutive male patients (mean age: 55.8 years) undergoing CCTA with body weight <or=85 kg, heart rate <or=65 bpm, and ejection fraction >or=55% were included. Image acquisition protocol was standardized (120 kV, 400 mA, and prospective ECG-triggered single-beat nonspiral CCTA). Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups (G1: received 40 ml, G2: 50 ml, G3: 60 ml, G4: 70 ml). Groups were compared with respect to aortic attenuation, image noise, and image quality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CT values (mean +/- standard deviation) in the aortic root were measured as 423 +/- 38 HU in G1, and 471 +/- 68, 463 +/- 60, and 476 +/- 78 HU in G2-4, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in attenuation among the groups (P > 0.068). All 40 CT datasets were rated diagnostic, and image noise and image quality were not statistically different among groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using 320-slice volume CT, diagnostic image quality can be achieved with 40 ml of contrast material in CCTA in patients with normal body weight, cardiac function, and low heart rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Charité-University Hospital, Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany. patrick.hein@charite.de
authors.forename: Patrick A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hein
authors.forename: Juliane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: Patrik
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rogalla
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hamm
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lembcke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; C093233:iobitridol; D007472:Iohexol