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Updated: Dec 29, 2025

Contrast Enhanced Vessel Imaging using MicroCT
Published on: January 27, 2011
Impact of CT Injector Technology and Contrast Media Viscosity on Vascular Enhancement: Evaluation in a Circulation
Michael McDermott1, Corey Kemper1, William Barone1
1Bayer U.S. LLC, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Radiology R&D, Indianola, PA 15051, USA.
Objective:
To assess the impact of piston-based vs peristaltic injection system technology and contrast media viscosity on achievable iodine delivery rates (IDRs) and vascular enhancement in a pre-clinical study.
Methods:
Four injectors were tested: MEDRAD® Centargo, MEDRAD® Stellant, CT Exprès®, and CT motion™ using five contrast media [iopromide (300 and 370 mgI ml-1), iodixanol 320 mgI ml-1, iohexol 350 mgI ml-1, iomeprol 400 mgI ml-1]. Three experiments were performed evaluating achievable IDR and corresponding enhancement in a circulation phantom.
Results:
Experiment I: Centargo provided the highest achievable IDRs with all tested contrast media (p < 0.05). Iopromide 370 yielded the highest IDR with an 18G catheter (3.15 gI/s); iopromide 300 yielded the highest IDR with 20G (2.70 gI/s) and 22G (1.65 gI/s) catheters (p < 0.05).Experiment II: with higher achievable IDRs, piston-based injectors provided significantly higher peak vascular enhancement (up to 48% increase) than the peristaltic injectors with programmed IDRs from 1.8 to 2.4 gI/s (p < 0.05).Experiment III: with programmed IDRs (e.g. 1.5 gI/s) achievable by all injection systems, Centargo, with sharper measured bolus shape, provided significant increases in enhancement of 34-73 HU in the pulmonary artery with iopromide 370 (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The tested piston-based injection systems combined with low viscosity contrast media provide higher achievable IDRs and higher peak vascular enhancement than the tested peristaltic-based injectors. With equivalent IDRs, Centargo provides higher peak vascular enhancement due to improved bolus shape.
Advances In Knowledge:
This paper introduces a new parameter to compare expected performance among contrast media: the concentration/viscosity ratio. Additionally, it demonstrates previously unexplored impacts of bolus shape on vascular enhancement.
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