BACKGROUND: Multislice computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a promising technology for imaging patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Compared with 16-slice CTA, the improved spatial and temporal resolution of 64-slice CTA (0.6- versus 1.0-mm slice thickness and 330- versus 420-ms gantry rotation time) is associated with an increase in radiation dose. The objective of this retrospective investigation was to compare the estimated dose received during 16- and 64-slice CTA in daily practice and to investigate the impact of different scan protocols on dose and image quality. METHODS AND RESULTS: Radiation dose was estimated for 1035 patients undergoing coronary CTA. Scanning algorithms with and without an ECG-dependent dose modulation and with a reduced tube voltage were investigated on dose estimates and image quality. In the entire patient cohort, radiation dose estimates were 6.4+/-1.9 and 11.0+/-4.1 mSv for 16- and 64-slice CTA, respectively (P<0.01). The reduction in radiation dose estimates ranged between 37% and 40% and between 53% and 64% with the use of ECG-dependent dose modulation and with the combined use of the dose modulation and a reduced tube voltage, respectively. The reduction in dose estimates was not associated with a reduction in diagnostic image quality as assessed by the signal-to-noise ratio and by the frequency of coronary segments with diagnostic image quality. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in spatial and temporal resolution with 64-slice CTA is associated with an increased radiation dose for coronary CTA. Dose-saving algorithms are very effective in reducing radiation exposure and should be used whenever possible.
BACKGROUND: Multislice computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a promising technology for imaging patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Compared with 16-slice CTA, the improved spatial and temporal resolution of 64-slice CTA (0.6- versus 1.0-mm slice thickness and 330- versus 420-ms gantry rotation time) is associated with an increase in radiation dose. The objective of this retrospective investigation was to compare the estimated dose received during 16- and 64-slice CTA in daily practice and to investigate the impact of different scan protocols on dose and image quality. METHODS AND RESULTS: Radiation dose was estimated for 1035 patients undergoing coronary CTA. Scanning algorithms with and without an ECG-dependent dose modulation and with a reduced tube voltage were investigated on dose estimates and image quality. In the entire patient cohort, radiation dose estimates were 6.4+/-1.9 and 11.0+/-4.1 mSv for 16- and 64-slice CTA, respectively (P<0.01). The reduction in radiation dose estimates ranged between 37% and 40% and between 53% and 64% with the use of ECG-dependent dose modulation and with the combined use of the dose modulation and a reduced tube voltage, respectively. The reduction in dose estimates was not associated with a reduction in diagnostic image quality as assessed by the signal-to-noise ratio and by the frequency of coronary segments with diagnostic image quality. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in spatial and temporal resolution with 64-slice CTA is associated with an increased radiation dose for coronary CTA. Dose-saving algorithms are very effective in reducing radiation exposure and should be used whenever possible.
Authors: Andreas Maier; Lars Wigstrom; Hannes G Hofmann; Joachim Hornegger; Lei Zhu; Norbert Strobel; Rebecca Fahrig Journal: Med Phys Date: 2011-11 Impact factor: 4.071
Authors: F Tatsugami; M Matsuki; G Nakai; Y Inada; S Kanazawa; Y Takeda; H Morita; H Takada; S Yoshikawa; K Fukumura; Y Narumi Journal: Br J Radiol Date: 2012-01-17 Impact factor: 3.039
Authors: Annika Schuhbäck; Mohamed Marwan; Sören Gauss; Gerd Muschiol; Dieter Ropers; Christian Schneider; Michael Lell; Johannes Rixe; Christian Hamm; Werner G Daniel; Stephan Achenbach Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2012-03-27 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: B M Gramer; D Muenzel; V Leber; A-K von Thaden; H Feussner; A Schneider; M Vembar; N Soni; E J Rummeny; A M Huber Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2012-07-03 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Ron Blankstein; Michael A Bolen; Rodrigo Pale; Meagan K Murphy; Amar B Shah; Hiram G Bezerra; Ammar Sarwar; Ian S Rogers; Udo Hoffmann; Suhny Abbara; Ricardo C Cury; Thomas J Brady Journal: Int J Cardiovasc Imaging Date: 2010-08-19 Impact factor: 2.357