Contrast volume reduction with superior vena cava catheter-directed coronary CT angiography: comparison with peripheral i.v. contrast enhancement in a swine model.

OBJECTIVE: Conventional MDCT angiography uses a traditional peripheral i.v. approach for contrast injection; however, we describe our experience with a superior vena cava (SVC) catheter approach for coronary artery MDCT angiography as a potential means of decreasing iodinated contrast volume.
CONCLUSION: Central SVC contrast injection can decrease the contrast volume by 50% while maintaining coronary attenuation similar to that of peripheral i.v. injection. This approach has potential in reducing the contrast volume on coronary MDCT angiography studies and therefore the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy in certain high-risk patients. Further studies with higher injection rates and faster scan acquisition are needed for defining a lower contrast volume threshold.