Contrast media volume optimization in high-pitch dual-source CT coronary angiography: feasibility study

To investigate the feasibility of contrast media (CM) volume reduction in dual-source coronary computed tomography angiography high-pitch mode without affecting coronary artery enhancement. Eighty patients were involved in a preliminary experiment with a default injection protocol (60 ml of CM). The age, BMI, test bolus (TB) enhancement peak and the CT values of coronary artery for each patient were recorded and the key factors for determining coronary artery enhancement were investigated. Based on the results of the preliminary experiment, 120 patients were involved in the main experiment with a new injection protocol. For each patient, the CT values and noise of left coronary sinus (LCS), and the distal segment of right coronary artery were measured. In the preliminary experiment, the peak enhancement of TB correlated most strongly with the HU values of coronary artery. Consequently, the new injection protocol was devised to catalog patients into four groups (30, 40, 50 and 60 ml) of CM based on their TB peak enhancement. In the main experiment, the 30 ml CM injection group whose peak attenuation of TB were the highest (30 vs. 40,50,60 ml: 323.0 +/- A 27.5 vs. 264.2 +/- A 11.9, 242.1 +/- A 8.8, 206.2 +/- A 18.2 HU, p < 0.05), obtained the highest attenuation of LCS (30 vs. 40,50,60 ml: 365.0 +/- A 41.2 vs. 341.8 +/- A 40.0, 326.9 +/- A 34.7, 312.5 +/- A 38.2 HU p < 0.05). Contrast optimization is feasible in high-pitch DSCT coronary angiography. Certain patients may receive 30 ml of CM without affecting vessel enhancement.