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Image quality and radiation dose comparison of prospectively triggered low-dose CCTA: 128-slice dual-source high-pitch spiral versus 64-slice single-source sequential acquisition

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Abstract

Currently 64-multislice computed tomography (MSCT) scanners are the most widely used devices allowing low radiation dose coronary CT angiography (CCTA) with prospective ECG triggering. Latest 128-slice dual-source CT (DSCT) scanners offer prospective high-pitch spiral acquisition covering the heart during one single beat. We compared radiation dose and image quality from prospective 64-MSCT versus high-pitch spiral 128-slice DSCT scanning, as such data is lacking. CCTA of 50 consecutive patients undergoing 128-DSCT (2 × 64 × 0.6 mm collimation, 0.28 s rotation time, 3.4 pitch, 100–120 kV tube voltage and 320 mAs tube current–time product) were compared to CCTA of 50 heart rate (HR) and BMI matched patients undergoing 64-MSCT (64 × 0.625 mm collimation, 0.35 s rotation time, 100–120 kV tube voltage and 400–650 mA tube current). Image quality was rated on a 4-point scale by two independent cardiac imaging physicians (1 = excellent to 4 = non-diagnostic). Of 710 coronary segments assessed on 128-DSCT, 216 (30.4%) achieved an image quality score 1 excellent, 400 (56.3%) score 2, 76 (10.7%) score 3 and 18 (2.6%) score 4 (non-diagnostic). Of 737 coronary segments evaluated on 64-MSCT 271 (36.8%) had an image quality score of 1, 327 (44.4%) 2, 110 (14.9%) score 3, and 29 (3.9%) segments score 4. Average image quality score for both scanners was similar (P = 0.641). The mean heart rate during scanning was 58.7 ± 5.6 bpm on 128-DSCT and 59.0 ± 5.6 bpm on 64-MSCT, respectively. Mean effective radiation dose was 1.0 ± 0.2 mSv for 128-DSCT and 1.7 ± 0.6 mSv for 64-MSCT (P < 0.001). 128-DSCT with high-pitch spiral mode allows CCTA acquisition with reduced radiation dose at maintained image quality compared to 64-MSCT.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Ennio Mueller, Edlira Loga, Mirjam De Bloeme, Sabrina Epp, and Daisy Beutel for their excellent technical support. The study was supported by a grant of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and by the ZHIP (Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, NUK C 42, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland

    Jelena R. Ghadri, Silke M. Küest, Robert Goetti, Michael Fiechter, Aju P. Pazhenkottil, Rene N. Nkoulou, Felix P. Kuhn, Carsten Pietsch, Patrick von Schulthess, Oliver Gaemperli, Christian Templin & Philipp A. Kaufmann

  2. Zurich Centre for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Michael Fiechter & Philipp A. Kaufmann

Authors
  1. Jelena R. Ghadri
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  2. Silke M. Küest
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  3. Robert Goetti
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  4. Michael Fiechter
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  5. Aju P. Pazhenkottil
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  6. Rene N. Nkoulou
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  8. Carsten Pietsch
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  9. Patrick von Schulthess
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  10. Oliver Gaemperli
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  11. Christian Templin
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  12. Philipp A. Kaufmann
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Correspondence to Philipp A. Kaufmann.

Additional information

Jelena R. Ghadri and Silke M. Küest equally contributed to this work.

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Ghadri, J.R., Küest, S.M., Goetti, R. et al. Image quality and radiation dose comparison of prospectively triggered low-dose CCTA: 128-slice dual-source high-pitch spiral versus 64-slice single-source sequential acquisition. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 28, 1217–1225 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-011-9921-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-011-9921-3

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