OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the use of automated tube potential selection (ATPS) with automated tube current modulation (ATCM) in high-pitch dual-source computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for imaging the whole aorta without electrocardiogram synchronization. METHODS: Two groups of 60 patients underwent CTA on a dual-source computed tomographic device in high-pitch mode: ATCM (with 100-kV fixed tube potential) was used in group 1 and ATPS (with the same image quality options) in group 2. For the evaluation of radiation exposure, CT dose index and dose-length product were analyzed. Contrast and image quality were assessed by 2 independent observers. RESULTS: The ATPS group received a higher radiation dose than the ATCM group (P < 0.001) because in 80% of patients, the software switched to use of a 120-kV tube potential. In all cases, images of the aorta were of sufficient quality. CONCLUSIONS: High-pitch dual-source CTA of the aorta using ATPS is feasible in clinical routine, but is associated with higher radiation exposure than the ATCM protocol. This finding contradicts previously evaluations of ATPS based on single-source techniques.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the use of automated tube potential selection (ATPS) with automated tube current modulation (ATCM) in high-pitch dual-source computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for imaging the whole aorta without electrocardiogram synchronization. METHODS: Two groups of 60 patients underwent CTA on a dual-source computed tomographic device in high-pitch mode: ATCM (with 100-kV fixed tube potential) was used in group 1 and ATPS (with the same image quality options) in group 2. For the evaluation of radiation exposure, CT dose index and dose-length product were analyzed. Contrast and image quality were assessed by 2 independent observers. RESULTS: The ATPS group received a higher radiation dose than the ATCM group (P < 0.001) because in 80% of patients, the software switched to use of a 120-kV tube potential. In all cases, images of the aorta were of sufficient quality. CONCLUSIONS: High-pitch dual-source CTA of the aorta using ATPS is feasible in clinical routine, but is associated with higher radiation exposure than the ATCM protocol. This finding contradicts previously evaluations of ATPS based on single-source techniques.
Authors: Rahul D Renapurkar; Andrew Primak; Joseph Azok; Jason Lempel; Yasmeen Tandon; Jennifer Bullen; Frank Dong; Wadih Karim; Ruffin Graham Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2017-01-13 Impact factor: 5.315