Comparing feasibility of different tube voltages and different concentrations of contrast medium in coronary CT angiography of overweight patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare image quality, radiation dose, and iodine intake of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) acquired by wide-detector using different tube voltages and different concentrations of contrast medium (CM) for overweight patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 150 overweight patients (body mass index≥25 kg/m2) who underwent CCTA are enrolled and divided into three groups according to scan protocols namely, group A (120 kVp, 370 mgI/ml CM); group B (100 kVp, 350 mgI/ml CM); and group C (80 kVp, 320 mgI/ml CM). The CT values, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and figure-of-merit (FOM) of all images are calculated. Images are subjectively assessed using a 5-point scale. In addition, the CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) of each patient are recorded. The effective radiation dose (ED) is also calculated. Above data are then statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The mean CT values, SNR, CNR, and subjective image quality of group A are significantly lower than those of groups B and C (P < 0.001), but there is no significant difference between groups B and C (P > 0.05). FOMs show a significantly increase trend from group A to C (P < 0.001). The ED values and total iodine intake in groups B and C are 30.34% and 68.53% and 10.22% and 16.85% lower than those in group A, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The lower tube voltage and lower concentration of CM based on wide-detector allows for significant reduction in iodine load and radiation dose in CCTA for overweight patients comparing to routine scan protocols. It also enhances signal intensity of CCTA and maintains image quality.