BACKGROUND: Recently developed automated algorithms use the topogram and the corresponding attenuation information before coronary CT angiography (CTA) to allow for an individualized anatomic-based selection of tube current (mAs) and voltage (kV). OBJECTIVES: The value of these algorithms in reducing the associated radiation exposure was evaluated. METHODS: One hundred patients underwent coronary CTA with dual-source CT with prospectively electrocardiogram-triggered axial data acquisition. In all patients, tube parameters (current and voltage) were suggested by both an experienced investigator according to the patient's body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight divided by height squared; kg/m(2)) and by an automated software according to attenuation values of the initial topogram. The first 50 consecutive patients (group 1) underwent coronary CTA with dual-source CT with tube parameters suggested by the experienced investigator (BMI-based tube parameters), whereas in another 50 consecutive patients (group 2) CT data acquisition was performed with tube settings of the automated software. Subsequently, subjective image quality (4-point rating score from 0 = nondiagnostic to 3 = excellent image quality), image noise (SD of CT number within the aortic root), as well as signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios and mean effective radiation doses, were compared between both groups. RESULTS: Both groups showed comparable image quality parameters (group 1 vs 2: noise, 28.1 ± 6.0 HU vs 29.9 ± 5.4 HU, P = .12; signal-to-noise ratio, 16.4 ± 3.9 vs 16.8 ± 4.1, P = .54; contrast-to-noise ratio, 18.6 ± 4.1 vs 19.2 ± 4.3, P = .49; 4-point rating score, 2.8 ± 0.3 vs 2.9 ± 0.3, P = .81). Tube voltage, current, and mean effective radiation dose for groups 1 and 2 were 111 ± 12 kV and 108 ± 12 kV (P = .18), 361 ± 32 mAs and 320 ± 48 mAs (P < .001), and 2.3 mSv (25th; 75th percentile, 1.5; 2.8 mSv) and 1.4 mSv (25th; 75th percentile, 1.1; 1.9 mSv) (P < .001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Automated attenuation-based selections of individualized tube parameters are superior to BMI-based selections with expert oversight and show a potential for reduction of radiation exposure in coronary CTA, and image quality is maintained.
BACKGROUND: Recently developed automated algorithms use the topogram and the corresponding attenuation information before coronary CT angiography (CTA) to allow for an individualized anatomic-based selection of tube current (mAs) and voltage (kV). OBJECTIVES: The value of these algorithms in reducing the associated radiation exposure was evaluated. METHODS: One hundred patients underwent coronary CTA with dual-source CT with prospectively electrocardiogram-triggered axial data acquisition. In all patients, tube parameters (current and voltage) were suggested by both an experienced investigator according to the patient's body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight divided by height squared; kg/m(2)) and by an automated software according to attenuation values of the initial topogram. The first 50 consecutive patients (group 1) underwent coronary CTA with dual-source CT with tube parameters suggested by the experienced investigator (BMI-based tube parameters), whereas in another 50 consecutive patients (group 2) CT data acquisition was performed with tube settings of the automated software. Subsequently, subjective image quality (4-point rating score from 0 = nondiagnostic to 3 = excellent image quality), image noise (SD of CT number within the aortic root), as well as signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios and mean effective radiation doses, were compared between both groups. RESULTS: Both groups showed comparable image quality parameters (group 1 vs 2: noise, 28.1 ± 6.0 HU vs 29.9 ± 5.4 HU, P = .12; signal-to-noise ratio, 16.4 ± 3.9 vs 16.8 ± 4.1, P = .54; contrast-to-noise ratio, 18.6 ± 4.1 vs 19.2 ± 4.3, P = .49; 4-point rating score, 2.8 ± 0.3 vs 2.9 ± 0.3, P = .81). Tube voltage, current, and mean effective radiation dose for groups 1 and 2 were 111 ± 12 kV and 108 ± 12 kV (P = .18), 361 ± 32 mAs and 320 ± 48 mAs (P < .001), and 2.3 mSv (25th; 75th percentile, 1.5; 2.8 mSv) and 1.4 mSv (25th; 75th percentile, 1.1; 1.9 mSv) (P < .001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Automated attenuation-based selections of individualized tube parameters are superior to BMI-based selections with expert oversight and show a potential for reduction of radiation exposure in coronary CTA, and image quality is maintained.
Authors: Stefanie Mangold; Julian L Wichmann; U Joseph Schoepf; Zachary B Poole; Christian Canstein; Akos Varga-Szemes; Damiano Caruso; Fabian Bamberg; Konstantin Nikolaou; Carlo N De Cecco Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2016-02-04 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Sonja Gordic; Lotus Desbiolles; Martin Sedlmair; Robert Manka; André Plass; Bernhard Schmidt; Daniela B Husarik; Francesco Maisano; Simon Wildermuth; Hatem Alkadhi; Sebastian Leschka Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2015-06-03 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Marco M Ochs; Fabian Aus dem Siepen; Thomas Fritz; Florian Andre; Gitsios Gitsioudis; Grigorios Korosoglou; Sebastian Seitz; Yuriy Bogomazov; Christopher L Schlett; Roman Sokiranski; Andre Sommer; Friedemann Gückel; Matthias Brado; Hans-Ulrich Kauczor; Johannes Görich; Matthias G W Friedrich; Hugo A Katus; Sebastian J Buss Journal: Clin Res Cardiol Date: 2017-02-06 Impact factor: 5.460
Authors: D Beitzke; V Berger-Kulemann; V Schöpf; S Unterhumer; E Spitzer; G M Feuchtner; M Gyöngyösi; K Uyanik-Uenal; A Zuckermann; C Loewe; F Wolf Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2015-04-26 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Stefanie Mangold; Julian L Wichmann; U Joseph Schoepf; Damiano Caruso; Christian Tesche; Daniel H Steinberg; Akos Varga-Szemes; Andrew C Stubenrauch; Richard R Bayer; Matthew Biancalana; Konstantin Nikolaou; Carlo N De Cecco Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2016-09-28 Impact factor: 5.315