Benefits of dual-axis rotational coronary angiography in routine clinical practice

Dual-axis rotational coronary angiography (DARCA) is a new imaging technique involving three-dimensional rotation of the gantry around the patient with simultaneous left to right and craniocaudal movements. This allows complete imaging of the left or right coronary tree with a single acquisition run. Previous small studies have indicated that DARCA is associated with reduced radiation dose and contrast use in comparison with standard coronary angiography (SCA). We conducted a registry of unselected patients undergoing DARCA or SCA. DARCA was used in 107 patients and SCA in 105 patients. Mean number of acquisition runs was 2.6 for DARCA and 6.9 for SCA (P < 0.0001). Mean radiation dose (dose-area product, DAP) was 30.4 Gy cm(2) for SCA and 15.9 Gy cm(2) for DARCA (P < 0.0001). Mean contrast volume was 41.7 ml for SCA and 25.7 ml for DARCA (P < 0.0001). Case time for DARCA in the first half of the study was 20.8 ± 1.4 min compared with 15.2 ± 2.0 min in the second half of the study (P = 0.0015), suggesting a learning curve. In the DARCA group, 64 % of patients required only two acquisition runs for complete and satisfactory imaging. There were no adverse effects resulting from DARCA. Two cases are presented to illustrate the diagnostic ability of DARCA. DARCA was associated with a 48 % reduction in radiation dose and 36 % reduction in contrast volume in comparison with SCA, with comparable diagnostic ability.