Evaluation of image quality and radiation dose in low tube voltage coronary computed tomography angiography

BACKGROUND: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is an important modality in diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Owing to the fact that computed tomography (CT) examinations are performed using ionizing radiation; applying radiation dose-reduction strategies seems to be necessary. Lowering tube voltage (in kV) according to the patient’s body mass index (BMI) or weight is an approach that is investigated by many researchers. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of low tube voltage CCTA on radiation dose and image quality in order to decrease radiation dose in selected patients who meet inclusion criteria of the introduced protocol.METHODS: Patients with clinical indications of CCTA who met inclusion criteria were classified in two groups randomly. Imaging of two groups was performed using ۱۲۰ kV and ۱۰۰ kV, respectively. Subjective and objective parameters of image quality and radiation dose of two groups were measured. Afterward, data were analyzed by appropriate statistical tests using SPSS software.RESULTS: While differences in image quality between two groups were not significant, radiation dose of patients who underwent ۱۰۰ kV CCTA was significantly lower than the other group. Effective doses (EDs) of first and second groups were ۲۲.۳۰ ± ۵.۴۸ mSv and ۱۳.۸۲ ± ۲.۰۰ mSv, respectively (P < ۰.۰۰۱).CONCLUSION: Lowering tube voltage in non-obese patients is an effective and practical approach to radiation dose reduction without missing image quality that should be considered especially for female patients.

کلیدواژه ها:

Coronary Angiography ، Computed Tomography Angiography ، Radiation Dosage ، Contrast Agent ، X-Rays ، Image Enhancement