Coronary computed tomography angiography with 320-row detector and using the AIDR-3D: initial experience

• Published in: Einstein (São Paulo, Brazil) Brazil), 2013-07, Vol.11 (3), p.400-404
• Main Authors: Sasdelli Neto, Roberto, Nomura, Cesar Higa, Macedo, Ana Carolina Sandoval, Bianco, Danilo Perussi, Kay, Fernando Uliana, Szarf, Gilberto, Teles, Gustavo Borges da Silva, Shoji, Hamilton, Santana Netto, Pedro Vieira, Passos, Rodrigo Bastos Duarte, Chate, Rodrigo Caruso, Ishikawa, Walther Yoshiharu, Lima, João Paulo Bacellar Costa, Rocha, Marcelo Assis, Marcos, Vinícius Neves, Failla, Bruna Bonaventura, Funari, Marcelo Buarque de Gusmão
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coronary Angiography - instrumentation; Coronary Angiography - methods; Coronary Artery Disease - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Medical Developments; Multidetector Computed Tomography - instrumentation; Multidetector Computed Tomography - methods; Radiation Dosage; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
• ISSN: 1679-4508; 2317-6385
• DOI: 10.1590/S1679-45082013000300025

Coronary computed tomography angiography (coronary CTA) is a powerful non-invasive imaging method to evaluate coronary artery disease. Nowadays, coronary CTA estimated effective radiation dose can be dramatically reduced using state-of-the-art scanners, such as 320-row detector CT (320-CT), without changing coronary CTA diagnostic accuracy. To optimize and further reduce the radiation dose, new iterative reconstruction algorithms were released recently by several CT manufacturers, and now they are used routinely in coronary CTA. This paper presents our first experience using coronary CTA with 320-CT and the Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3D (AIDR-3D). In addition, we describe the current indications for coronary CTA in our practice as well as the acquisition standard protocols and protocols related to CT application for radiation dose reduction. In conclusion, coronary CTA radiation dose can be dramatically reduced following the "as low as reasonable achievable" principle by combination of exam indication and well-documented technics for radiation dose reduction, such as beta blockers, low-kV, and also the newest iterative dose reduction software as AIDR-3D.