title: Automatic Tube Potential Selection with Tube Current Modulation (APSCM) in coronary CT angiography: Comparison of image quality and radiation dose with conventional body mass index-based protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of Automatic Tube Potential Selection with Tube Current Modulation (APSCM) may lower radiation dose, but it is unknown whether image quality is maintained.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiation dose and image quality of APSCM application compared with conventional body mass index (BMI)-based examination protocol for coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients (n = 487) were retrospectively enrolled: 239 patients who underwent coronary CTA with APSCM (APSCM group) and 248 patients who underwent coronary CTA with a BMI-based tube potential (in kV) and tube current-time product (in mAs) protocol (BMI-based group). Comparison of quantitative and qualitative image quality and radiation dose was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of APSCM found significant reduction in radiation dose compared with the BMI-based protocol, with a significantly more frequent use of 80 kV (P < 0.0001). Diagnostic image quality was maintained, with no significant difference between the 2 groups (P = 0.887).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of APSCM for coronary CTA significantly reduced radiation dose while maintaining image quality; therefore, it is feasible in daily practice which covers patients with various BMI values.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Jean
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Young Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ji Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hee Yeong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yoo Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Hye-Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hur
authors.forename: Ji Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: Byoung Wook
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software; D012986:Software Validation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*