Thorsten Alexander Bley MD, Abstract Co-Author: Speakers Bureau, Bracco Group Speaker, Wyeth Speaker, Siemens AG Speaker, General Electric Company Speaker, TeraRecon, Inc Speaker, Bayer AG Speaker, Guerbet SA

Gregor Pache MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Christian Voss, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tobias Baumann MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ulrich Saueressig MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Scott Brian Reeder MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Spouse, Employee, General Electric Company

Philipp Blanke, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dana Tudorascu PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mathias F.J. Langer MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christoph Leder, Abstract Co-Author: Board Member, Medtron AG

00030490-DMT et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate coronary artery opacification by simultaneous bilateral injection (dual injection) of 90ml iodine contrast material at effective flow rates of 10ml/second (5ml/second per arm) compared with standard unilateral contrast application at 5ml/second flow rate in dual source coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

90 patients who were referred to coronary CTA were investigated. In 30 patients, 90ml of iodine intravenous contrast agent was injected with conventional unilateral administration at 5 ml/sec, and in 60 patients with simultaneous bilateral (dual injection) at 10ml/sec utilizing a custom made Y-shaped injection line. Contrast attenuation was measured90 patients who were referred to coronary CTA were investigated. In 30 patients, 90ml of iodine intravenous contrast agent was injected with conventional unilateral administration at 5 ml/sec, and in 60 patients with simultaneous bilateral (dual injection) at 10ml/sec utilizing a custom made Y-shaped injection line. Contrast attenuation was measured in 11 regions distributed over the thoracic aorta and the coronary vasculature. Hotelling’s T-square statistic was used for comparing the attenuation results of the two groups. in 11 regions distributed over the thoracic aorta and the coronary vasculature. Hotelling’s T-square statistic was used for comparing the attenuation results of the two groups.

Contrast injection was performed safely in all patients without contrast extravasation, perforation or leakage of the injection line. No patient complained of pain or discomfort during the injection in either group. Mean coronary opacification was significantly higher in all vessels of the dual injection group (p<0.001) and reached values of 498.2 ± 87.7 HU vs 388 ± 80.4 HU in the single injection group.

Significant increase of coronary artery attenuation can be achieved safely with simultaneous bilateral injection (dual injection) of 90ml iodinated contrast agent.

Higher coronary artery opacification is favorable for assessment of the more peripheral segments of the coronary vasculature and may increase the diagnostic accuracy of coronary CTA.

Bley, T, Pache, G, Voss, C, Baumann, T, Saueressig, U, Reeder, S, Blanke, P, Tudorascu, D, Langer, M, Leder, C, et al, 0, Simultaneous Bilateral Contrast Injection (Dual Injection) in Coronary Dual Source CTA  .  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8009162.html