CT angiography of aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries - Possibility of scan time optimization and volume reduction of contrast agent
Abstract
Aim: The goal of the prospective study is to determine feasibility of peripheral CT angiography (CTA) with adaptive scan time using low volume of contrast agent. Methods: We performed CTA in extent of abdominal aorta and lower limbs on dual-source CT in two groups of patients with different volumes of contrast agent (400 mgl/l).
Volumes of 40ml (31 patients) and 50 ml (21 patients) with 6ml/s injection were used for examinations. Individual scan time was calculated from peak transit time established from double test bolus (single administration of 10 ml) measurements (proximal abdominal aorta and popliteal arteries).
We analyzed subjective quality of CTA (1-3) and objective quality (intraluminal density and CNR) in 5 different levels. Examinations with subjective quality 3 (non-diagnostic) in one level were considered as overall non-diagnostic.
Results: We found significant correlation between scan time (21-43 s) and subjective (p = 0.0015) and objective quality (p = 0.0117) in both groups. Significantly higher (p = 0.029) scan time was used in examinations with overall non-diagnostic quality (6 in 40 ml group and 3 in 50 ml group).
The scan times in non-diagnostic examinations were completely over 31s (31.6-42.4) and all examinations with scan time below 30 s were with excellent quality. Significantly better objective quality was reached in 50 ml group (p = 0.076).
Time parameters were not significantly different in both groups. Conclusion: Our results have proved feasibility of peripheral CTA with adaptive scan time and low volume of contrast agent.
There is significant correlation of used scan time and AoP peak transit time with quality with probability of determination of suitable group of patients.