Contrast timing in computed tomography: effect of different contrast media concentrations on bolus geometry.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of low-osmolar, monomeric contrast media with different iodine concentrations on bolus shape in aortic CT angiography.


METHODS
Repeated sequential computed tomography scanning of the descending aorta of eight beagle dogs (5 male, 12.7±3.1kg) was performed without table movement with a standardized CT scan protocol. Iopromide 300 (300mgI/mL), iopromide 370 (370mgI/mL) and iomeprol 400 (400mgI/mL) were administered via a foreleg vein with an identical iodine delivery rate of 1.2gI/s and a total iodine dose of 300mgI/kg body weight. Time-enhancement curves were computed and analyzed.


RESULTS
Iopromide 300 showed the highest peak enhancement (445.2±89.1 HU), steepest up-slope (104.2±17.5 HU/s) and smallest full width at half maximum (FWHM; 5.8±1.0s). Peak enhancement, duration of FWHM, enhancement at FWHM and up-slope differed significantly between iopromide 300 and iomeprol 400 (p<0.05). Except for enhancement at FWHM there were no significant differences between iopromide 300 and iopromide 370 and iopromide 370 and iomeprol 400 (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Low viscous iopromide 300 results in a better defined bolus with a significantly higher peak enhancement, steeper up-slope and smaller FWHM when compared to iomeprol 400. These characteristics potentially affect contrast timing.
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, RWTH Aachen University, Germany. andreas.mahnken@rwth-aachen.de
Andreas H
AH
Mahnken
Gregor
G
Jost
Peter
P
Seidensticker
Christiane
C
Kuhl
Hubertus
H
Pietsch
D000818:Animals; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007472:Iohexol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide; D007479:Iopamidol