Individualized Delay for Abdominal Computed Tomography Angiography Bolus-Tracking Based on Sequential Monitoring:...

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Cardiovascular Imaging

Background:

• Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is crucial for diagnosing vascular diseases.
• Optimizing CTA protocols to reduce iodine dose and injection rates is an ongoing challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if computed tomography angiography using an individualized transition delay (CTA-ID) can reduce injection rate and iodine dose.
• To assess diagnostic image quality and intra-arterial CT numbers with CTA-ID.

Main Methods:

• CTA-ID was performed in 60 patients with varied reduced injection rates and iodine doses.
• Control groups included routine CTAs in 49 internal and 80 size-matched patients.
• Diagnostic image quality and intra-arterial CT numbers were compared.

Main Results:

• CTA-ID significantly increased transition delay (mean increase: 13.3 seconds; P < 0.0001).
• Image quality was maintained or improved with CTA-ID.
• Sufficient intra-arterial CT numbers (≥200 HU) were achieved in all 80 CTA-ID patients, compared to 12% and 14% in control groups.

Conclusions:

• CTA-ID bolus-tracking software enables diagnostic CTA examinations.
• This technique permits successful CTA with slower injection rates and reduced iodine.
• CTA-ID offers a promising approach for dose reduction in CT angiography.