Objectives: To investigate the feasibility of using a single-dose injection protocol in CT angiography (CTA) of the carotid and coronary artery with 320-row multidetector CT.
Methods: A total of 82 consecutive patients with suspected carotid artery disease underwent an original CTA protocol aiming at capturing the extra-cranial carotid arteries and coronary arteries simultaneously using 320-row MDCT. The image quality, attenuation, and CNRs of the carotid and coronary arteries were assessed. The lag time (between two separated volumetric acquisitions) was compared between patients with and without cardiac venous opacification (CVO). The contrast medium volume and radiation dose were recorded.
Results: The image quality was 99.4% diagnostic in carotid and 86.9% in coronary artery segments. The mean attenuation of carotid and coronary arteries ranged from 462.2 Hu to 533.7 Hu, 415.9 Hu to 454.7 Hu respectively. The mean CNR of the carotid and coronary artery ranged from 15.8 to 18.9 and 17.7 to 20.4 respectively. The lag time in patients with and without CVO was 5.75 ± 1.64 s vs. 4.21 ± 1.14 s (p < 0.05). The mean radiation dose was 6.6 ± 4.1 mSv.The mean contrast media volume was 71.9 ± 9.1 ml.
Conclusions: The carotid and coronary artery can be imaged simultaneously via our original single-dose injection CTA protocol using 320-row CT with adequate image quality.
Key points: • Carotid and coronary 320-row CTA can be achieved in a single-dose injection. • Longer coverage was achieved with two or more volumes using 320-row CT. • The single-dose protocol allows a reduced contrast agent dose of about 72 ml.