CT angiography: injection and acquisition technique.

CT scanner technology is continuously evolving, with scan times becoming shorter with each scanner generation. Achieving adequate arterial opacification synchronized with CT data acquisition is becoming increasingly difficult. A fundamental understanding of early arterial contrast medium dynamics is thus of utmost importance for the design of CT scanning and injection protocols for current and future cardiovascular CT applications. Arterial enhancement is primarily controlled by the iodine flux (injection flow rate) and the injection duration versus a patient's cardiac output and local downstream physiology. The technical capabilities of modern CT equipment require precise scan timing. Together with automated tube current modulation and weight-based injection protocols, both radiation exposure and contrast medium enhancement can be individualized. Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.