Intelligent optimum tube voltage technology at dual-source CT coronary artery angiography

Abstract

Objective To explore the value of intelligent optimum tube voltage technology at dual-source CT coronary angiography. Methods One hundred and fifty patients with normal body mass index ( 2 mm and no severe calcification). They were assessed by subjective evaluation (image quality score) and objective evaluation (including vascular CT value, signal-to-noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio). Analyses of the differences between groups were compared with image quality, objective evaluation index and radiation dose by single factor variance. Results The image quality scores in patients scanned with five groups were (3.42 ± 0.63), (3.41 ± 0.54), (3.49 ± 0.33), (3.45 ± 0.43) and (3.48 ± 0.81), there was no statistical difference between the five groups (F=0.634, P=0.105). Each image quality was good,all could clearly show thewhole range of vessels. The CT values of the coronary artery with above groups respectively were (486±82), (554±71), (742±90), (506±81), (561±81) HU. The image noises were (25±12), (32±12), (46± 14), (28±11), (34±12) HU (F=3.430 and 4.332, P 0.05).The effective radiation dose of five groups are (9.3±1.3), (6.3±1.4), (2.8± 1.5), (5.7 ± 1.2), (3.9 ± 1.3) mSv, which the difference was statistically significant (F=2.332, P<0.05). Conclusions Intelligent optimum tube voltage technology (Ref. 100 kV, 400 mAs) at dual-source CT coronary angiography may be feasible in patients with normal BMI. To ensure the quality of the image at the same time, it can effectively reduce the radiation dose. Key words: Tomography, X-ray computed; Coronary angiography; Radiation dosage