Traditionally, physicians have used contrast media in CCTA following a one-size-fits-all approach, Dr. Philipp von Knebel Doeberitz told AuntMinnie.com. Automated attenuation-based tube voltage selection (ATVS) algorithms, however, can automatically select appropriate tube voltages for CCTA exams, which, in turn, can optimize contrast dose protocol.
Researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina used an ATVS algorithm to fine-tune the contrast medium protocol of the CCTA exams of various patients. The ATVS algorithm divided the patients into seven groups based on their vessel attenuation profiles. Physicians then scanned each group using a different contrast dose corresponding to the distinct tube voltage determined by ATVS.
"We were able to safely achieve contrast dose reductions of up to 50% while maintaining diagnostic attenuation within the coronary arteries by reducing the iodine delivery rate according to tube voltage," von Knebel Doeberitz said.
Now that they have successfully investigated the possibility of tailoring CCTA parameters, they can start moving toward personalized contrast media injection, he concluded.
