title: Can Radiation Dose Be Reduced and Image Quality Improved With 80-kV and Dual-Phase Scanning of the Lower Extremities With 64-Slice Computed Tomography Angiography?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively compare the new computed tomographic angiography (CTA) protocol (NCP) using 80-kV and dual-phase scanning with the routine CTA protocol (RCP) using 120-kV and single-phase scanning in patients with peripheral arterial disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 60 patients were randomized to undergo the NCP (30 patients) or RCP (30 patients) scan. We compared the arterial attenuation values, overriding of the contrast bolus, signal-to-noise ratio, and radiation dose between 2 groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The occurrence rate of contrast bolus overriding was not statistically significant (P = 0.69). The average arterial attenuation value in the NCP group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in the RCP group. The radiation dose in the RCP group was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that in the NCP group. The mean signal-to-noise ratio in the NCP group was significantly lower (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sixty-four-slice CTA with the NCP can significantly reduce the radiation dose and improve the arterial enhancement and calf arteries imaging.
authors.affiliation: From the *Medical Image Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Anhui, China; and †Department of Oncology, Victoria Hospital, Candos, Mauritius.
authors.forename: Yunfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Meera
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dassarath
authors.forename: Minhong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yuwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Quan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide