title: Coronary computed tomography angiography in a single cardiac cycle with a mean radiation dose of approximately 1 mSv: initial experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiation dose, image quality and acquisition time of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) using a 128-slice dual source scanner with prospective ECG-triggered high-pitch spiral acquisition (Flash Spiral).
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of 20 consecutive patients in sinus rhythm, with no contraindications to administration of iodinated contrast media and beta-blockers and no history of coronary revascularization, underwent CCTA either to rule out coronary artery disease (CAD) or to evaluate known or suspected CAD. Image quality was evaluated using a four-point scale (1 excellent, 4 poor). Data on acquisition time and radiation dose were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean acquisition time was 292 +/- 21 milliseconds. The mean effective radiation dose was 0.99 mSv +/- 0.34 mSv. All of the 266 coronary artery segments analyzed were of diagnostic image quality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CCTA using a 128-slice dual source scanner with prospective ECG-triggered high-pitch spiral acquisition provides single cardiac cycle acquisition with high image quality at mean effective radiation doses of approximately 1 mSv.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Imagiologia, Centro Hospitalar de Gaia/ Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. guerra.duarte@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bettencourt
authors.forename: João C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fernandez
mesh_terms: D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed