ABSTRACT
Background: prospectively electrocardiography [ECG]-triggered high-pitch spiral coronary computed tomography angiography [CCTA] is a unique scan mode for dual -source CT [DSCT]. Our reports aim to compare image quality and radiation dose of CCTA using high-pitch spiral or sequential acquisition mode in patients with low and stable heart rates
Materials and Methods: patients with low and stable heart rates [HR] [HR >/= 70 beats per minute [bpm]; heart rate variability [HRV] < 10 bpm] were randomly assigned to high-pitch spiral mode [group A; n = 80] or sequential acquisition mode [group B; n = 80]. Image quality scores, image noise, effective radiation dose and influencing factors on image quality were assessed
Results: mean image quality scores were 1.51 +/- 0.32 and 1.70 +/- 0.38 for groups A and B [P < 0.05], respectively. Image noises of the two groups were 19.05 +/- 4.70 Hu and 27.21 +/- 8.88 Hu [P < 0.05]. Contrast media cost in-group A was lower than group B [P < 0.05]. No statistical difference was found in the rate of diagnostic patients between the two groups [P = 0.416]. The estimated radiation dose of group A was 26.0% reduced compared with group B [0.74 +/- 0.34 mSv vs. 1.00 +/- 0.48 mSv, P < 0.05]
Conclusion: in patients with regular and low heart rates, the prospectively high-pitch spiral acquisition mode can reduce radiation dose and contrast media cost while maintaining image quality compared with the prospectively sequential mode