Application of double low dose combined low flow injection in coronary dual-source coronary computed tomography angiography.

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to explore the feasibility of lower tube voltage, low volumes of contrast medium, and low flow injection in prospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered high-pitch dual-source coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for coronary artery imaging.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 140 patients with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 18.5 to 24.3 kg/m2 and heart rate (HR) lower than 65 times/min underwent CCTA were divided randomly into two groups. The enhanced CT value and noise as well as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. Coronary artery was evaluated by double-blind method using a four-point grading scale.

RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the average enhanced CT value, noise, SNR, and CNR of all segments between the two groups (P > .05). Meanwhile, effective radiation dosages in group A were markedly lower than those in group B (P < .01).

CONCLUSION: The prospective ECG-triggered high-pitch dual-source CCTA with low voltage, contrast medium, and flow rate injection using sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction is feasible which can observably reduce radiation and obtain satisfactory images.