High-pitch dual-source CT coronary angiography with low volumes of contrast medium.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of lower volumes of contrast medium (CM) on image quality in high-pitch dual-source computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA).


METHODS
One-hundred consecutive patients (body weight 65-85 kg, stable heart rate ≤65 bpm, cardiac index ≥2.5 L/min/m(2)) referred for CTCA were prospectively enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned to one of five groups of different CM volumes (G30, 30 mL; G40, 40 mL; G50, 50 mL; G60, 60 mL; G70, 70 mL; flow rate 5 mL/s each, iodine content 370 mg/mL). Attenuation within the proximal and distal coronary artery segments was analysed.


RESULTS
Mean attenuation for men and women ranged from 345.0 and 399.1 HU in G30 to 478.2 and 571.8 HU in G70. Mean attenuation values were higher in groups with higher CM volumes (P < 0.0001) and higher in women than in men (P < 0.0001). The proportions of segments with attenuation of at least 300 HU in G30, G40, G50, G60 and G70 were 89 %, 95 %, 98 %, 98 % and 99 %. CM volume of 30 mL in women and 40 mL in men proved to be sufficient to guarantee attenuation of at least 300 HU.


CONCLUSIONS
In selected patients high-pitch dual-source CTCA can be performed with CM volumes of 40 mL in men or 30 mL in women.


CONCLUSIONS
• High-pitch dual-source coronary angiography is feasible with low contrast media volumes. • Traditional injection rules still apply: higher volumes result in higher enhancement. • The patient's gender is a co-factor determining the level of contrast enhancement. • Volumes can be reduced down to 30-40 mL in selected patients.
Department of Radiology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany, Alexander.Lembcke@gmx.de.
Alexander
A
Lembcke
Carsten
C
Schwenke
Patrick A
PA
Hein
Gesine
G
Knobloch
Tahir
T
Durmus
Bernd
B
Hamm
Alexander
A
Huppertz
D055424:Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D003287:Contrast Media