OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare an 80-kVp coronary calcium scoring protocol with the standard protocol of 120 kVp in terms of accuracy and reproducibility and to assess its dose reduction potential. MATERIALS AND METHOD: An anthropomorphic heart phantom with calcium cylinders was scanned with different tube currents at 80 kVp and 120 kVp using a 16-slice multislice CT (MSCT) scanner. An adapted threshold for 80 kVp was calculated. Accuracy and reproducibility for calcium mass, volume, and Agatston score were analyzed using F-tests. The radiation doses needed to produce artifact-free images were determined. RESULTS: Accuracy (measurement errors: mass 120 kVp +4.6%, mass 80 kVp -6.9%, volume 120 kVp +78.8%, volume 80 kVp +58.2%) and reproducibility (F-tests: mass: P = 0.4998, volume: P = 0.9168, Agatston: P = 0.5422) were comparable at both tube voltages. Avoiding the appearance of artificial lesions, a CTDI(w,eff) of 10.7 mGy was needed at 120 kVp versus 4.6 mGy at 80 kVp (dose reduction of 57%). CONCLUSIONS: Using an 80-kVp protocol in coronary calcium scoring, a relevant dose reduction is possible without compromising reproducibility and accuracy.
OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare an 80-kVp coronary calcium scoring protocol with the standard protocol of 120 kVp in terms of accuracy and reproducibility and to assess its dose reduction potential. MATERIALS AND METHOD: An anthropomorphic heart phantom with calcium cylinders was scanned with different tube currents at 80 kVp and 120 kVp using a 16-slice multislice CT (MSCT) scanner. An adapted threshold for 80 kVp was calculated. Accuracy and reproducibility for calcium mass, volume, and Agatston score were analyzed using F-tests. The radiation doses needed to produce artifact-free images were determined. RESULTS: Accuracy (measurement errors: mass 120 kVp +4.6%, mass 80 kVp -6.9%, volume 120 kVp +78.8%, volume 80 kVp +58.2%) and reproducibility (F-tests: mass: P = 0.4998, volume: P = 0.9168, Agatston: P = 0.5422) were comparable at both tube voltages. Avoiding the appearance of artificial lesions, a CTDI(w,eff) of 10.7 mGy was needed at 120 kVp versus 4.6 mGy at 80 kVp (dose reduction of 57%). CONCLUSIONS: Using an 80-kVp protocol in coronary calcium scoring, a relevant dose reduction is possible without compromising reproducibility and accuracy.
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Authors: S G M van Velzen; M M Dobrolinska; P Knaapen; R L M van Herten; R Jukema; I Danad; R H J A Slart; M J W Greuter; I Išgum Journal: J Nucl Cardiol Date: 2022-07-18 Impact factor: 3.872
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Authors: Jaap M Groen; Marcel J W Greuter; R Vliegenthart; C Suess; B Schmidt; F Zijlstra; M Oudkerk Journal: Int J Cardiovasc Imaging Date: 2007-11-23 Impact factor: 2.357
Authors: Oliver Klass; Martin Jeltsch; Sebastian Feuerlein; Horst Brunner; Hans-Dieter Nagel; Matthew J Walker; Hans-Juergen Brambs; Martin H K Hoffmann Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2008-11-15 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Hildebrand Dijkstra; Marcel J W Greuter; Jaap M Groen; Rozemarijn Vliegenthart-Proença; Klaasjan W K Renema; Frank de Lange; Matthijs Oudkerk Journal: Int J Cardiovasc Imaging Date: 2009-09-19 Impact factor: 2.357