title: Overall evaluability of low dose protocol for computed tomography angiography of thoracic aorta using 80 kV and iterative reconstruction algorithm using different concentration contrast media.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography (MDCTA) is presently the imaging modality of choice for aortic disease. However, the effective radiation dose and the risk related to the use of contrast agents associated with MDCTA is an issue of concern. Aim of this study was to assess image quality of a low dose ECG-gated MDCTA of thoracic aorta using different concentration contrast media without tailored injection protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two-hundred patients were randomised into four different scan protocols: Group A (Iodixanol 320 and 80 Kvp tube voltage), Group B (Iodixanol 320 and 100 Kvp tube voltage), Group C (Iomeprol 400 and 80 Kvp tube voltage) and Group D (Iomeprol 400 and 100 Kvp tube voltage). Image quality, noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and effective dose (ED) were compared among groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in image noise, SNR and CNR between groups with the same tube voltage. Significant differences in SNR and CNR were found among groups with 80 kV versus groups using 100 kV but without differences in terms of image quality. ED was significantly lower in groups with 80 kV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography protocols using 80 kV and low concentration contrast media are feasible without need of tailored injection protocols.
authors.affiliation: Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea Daniele
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5271-4353
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Annoni
authors.affiliation: Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.affiliation: Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.|Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Andreini
authors.affiliation: Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Formenti
authors.affiliation: Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Saima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mushtaq
authors.affiliation: Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nobili
authors.affiliation: Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guglielmo
authors.affiliation: Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baggiano
authors.affiliation: Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.affiliation: Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pepi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055424:Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; C057937:iomeprol; C044834:iodixanol; D007479:Iopamidol
keywords: CT angiography; ECG gated scan protocols, contrast agents; dose reduction; thoracic aorta