Lizhen Cao, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Kun Cheng Li MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Xiangying Du MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pengyu Li, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yun Shen PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, General Electric Company

Ying Guo, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To optimize the contrast medium (CM) injection protocol in prospective 64-row MDCT coronary angiography by comparing the patient body weight-adapted protocol with the fixed protocol.

This study was approved by the institutional review board, and patients gave informed consent. One-hundred patients consecutively underwent prospective ECG-triggered coronary CT angiography (CTA) examination with 64-row MDCT. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. In groupⅠ, the fixed CM injection protocol, that is, 65 ml of CM (370 mg I/ml) at 5.0 ml/s and then a 40 ml saline flush at 5.0 ml/s was used. In groupⅡ, the volume of CM adapted to patient body weight ( 0.9 ml/kg ) and then a 40 ml saline flush were injected, and the flow rate was calculated with the following equation: R = (0.9•W)/12. According to their weight, the two groups were re-divided into two groups: groupⅠA= less than or equal to 70 kg; groupⅠB= greater than 70 kg; groupⅡA= less than or equal to 70 kg; groupⅡB= greater than 70 kg. The aortic attenuation was measured over the aortic-root lumen by two experienced radiologists.

The difference of the aortic attenuation between groupⅠA and ⅡA had no statistical difference (t=1.546, P＞0.05); moreover, the mean CM volume of groupⅡA ( 51.4±4.8 ml )was less than that of groupⅠA. Although the mean CM volume of group ⅡB ( 72.8±6.2 ml ) was a little more than groupⅠB , the mean aortic attenuation of groupⅠB was 403.7±71.8 HU, and that of groupⅡB was 428.2±58.2 HU ; there were statistical difference between groupⅠB and ⅡB (t=2.488, P＜0.05).  

In prospective ECG-triggered 64-row MDCT coronary CTA, the patient body weight-adapted contrast medium injection protocol can save the CM dose in smaller-weight patients and improve the enhancements of aorta and coronary vessels in larger-weight patients.

 The patient body weight-adapted contrast medium (CM) injection protocol is a new method with better clinical application.And it should be used widely in prospective coronary CT angiography.

Cao, L, Li, K, Du, X, Li, P, Shen, Y, Guo, Y, Optimization of Contrast Medium Injection Protocol Adapted to Patient Body Weight in Prospective 64-Row MDCT Coronary Angiography.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8013949.html