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320-row CT coronary angiography: effect of 100-kV tube voltages on image quality, contrast volume, and radiation dose

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Abstract

To prospectively evaluate image quality parameters, contrast volume and radiation dose at the 100-kilovolt (kV) setting during coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) on a 320-row computed tomography scanner. We enrolled 107 consecutive patients with a heart rate <65 beats per minute (bpm) undergoing prospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered CCTA. Forty patients with a body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2 were scanned using 100-kV tube voltage settings, while 67 patients were scanned using 120-kV protocols. Image quality was assessed by two readers unaware of patient information and scan parameters. Attenuation in the aorta and perivascular fat tissue and image noise were measured. Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) and contrast material volumes were calculated. The effective radiation doses were estimated using a chest conversion coefficient (0.017). Diagnostic image quality was achieved in 98.2% of coronary segments with 100-kV CCTA and 98.6% of coronary segments with 120-kV CCTA, with no significant differences in image quality scores for each coronary segment. Vessel attenuation, image noise, and CNR were not significantly different between the 100- and 120-kV protocols. Mean contrast injection rate and mean material volume were significantly lower for the 100-kV CCTA (4.35 ± 0.28 ml/s and 53.13 ± 3.77 ml, respectively) than for the 120-kV CCTA (5.16 ± 0.21 ml/s and 62.40 ± 3.66 ml respectively; P < 0.001). The effective radiation dose was 2.12 ± 0.19 mSv for 100-kV CCTA, a reduction of 54% compared to 4.61 ± 0.82 mSv for 120-kV CCTA. A 100-kV CCTA can be implemented in patients with a BMI < 25 kg/m2. The 100-kV setting allows significant reductions in contrast material volume and effective radiation dose while maintaining adequate diagnostic image quality.

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We declare that no potential benefits in any form from a commercial, for-profit company relating directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript. The authors have no conflicts of interest.

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  1. Department of Radiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, 2 Anzhen Road, 100029, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

    Chuanchen Zhang, Zhaoqi Zhang, Zixu Yan, Lei Xu, Wei Yu & Rui Wang

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  1. Chuanchen Zhang
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Correspondence to Zhaoqi Zhang.

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Zhang, C., Zhang, Z., Yan, Z. et al. 320-row CT coronary angiography: effect of 100-kV tube voltages on image quality, contrast volume, and radiation dose. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 27, 1059–1068 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-010-9754-5

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