DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS OF CARDIAC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY IN A SINGLE MEDICAL CENTER IN TAIWAN: A 3-Y...

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Radiation Dosimetry

Background:

• Significant variability exists in patient radiation doses for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and coronary arterial calcium score (CACS).
• A lack of established dose recommendations in Taiwan necessitates the creation of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish DRLs for CCTA and CACS in Taiwan.
• To provide a benchmark for radiation dose optimization in cardiac CT examinations.
• To compare Taiwanese DRLs with international standards.

Main Methods:

• Data from 445 patients undergoing CCTA and CACS over three years were collected.
• Volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) and dose-length product (DLP) were recorded.
• Statistical analysis determined the 25th, 50th (median), and 75th DRL percentiles.

Main Results:

• DRLs for CCTA were determined based on CTDIvol and DLP.
• The established DRLs for CCTA were found to be comparable to existing DRLs from seven other countries.
• This study provides the first DRLs for CCTA and CACS in Taiwan.

Conclusions:

• The established DRLs serve as a valuable tool for optimizing radiation doses in CCTA procedures in Taiwan.
• The findings support the need for standardized radiation dose monitoring in cardiac CT.
• International comparisons indicate consistency in radiation dose practices for CCTA across different regions.