Open AccessComparing feasibility of low-tube-voltage protocol with low-iodine-concentration contrast and high-tube-voltage protocol with high-iodine-concentration contrast in coronary computed tomography angiography
Author(s) -
Min Jae,
Sung Mok Kim,
Tae Ran Ahn,
Yeon Hyeon Choe
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0236108
Subject(s) - iodixanol , nuclear medicine , medicine , image quality , iodine , contrast (vision) , image noise , attenuation , radiology , contrast medium , materials science , physics , optics , artificial intelligence , computer science , metallurgy , image (mathematics)
Background To investigate the feasibility of a low tube voltage (80 kVp) protocol with low concentration contrast media (CM) (iodixanol 320 mgl/ml) as compared with a high tube voltage (100 kVp) protocol with high concentration CM (iomeprol 400 mgl/ml) in coronary CT angiography (CCTA) for patients with body mass index less than 30. Materials and methods A total of 93 patients were randomly assigned into three groups and underwent CCTA as follows: Group A) 100 kVp, 100–350 mAs, 400 mgl/ml CM at 4ml/s, and reconstructed with filtered back projection; Group B and C) 80 kVp, 100–450 mAs, 320 mgl/ml CM at 4 ml/s and 5 ml/s, respectively and reconstructed with iterative reconstruction. Objective and subjective image quality (IQ) was analyzed. Results The image noise, intravascular attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of major coronary arteries did not differ significantly among three groups. Subjective IQ analyses on vascular attenuation and image noise did not differ significantly, either (all of p > 0.05). Qualitative IQ of Group B and C was non-inferior to that of Group A. Substantial reduction of radiation exposure was achieved in group B (2.60 ± 0.48 mSv) and C (2.72 ± 0.54 mSv), compared with group A (3.58 ± 0.67 mSv) ( p < 0.05). Conclusion CCTA at 80 kVp with 320 mgl/ml CM and iterative reconstruction is feasible, achieving radiation dose reduction, while preserving IQ.