Prospective-triggered high-pitch spiral versus sequential dual-source CT coronary angiography: comparison of image quality and radiation dose

Background: Prospec vely electrocardiography (ECG)-triggered high-pitch spiral coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a unique scan mode for dual -source CT (DSCT). Our reports aim to compare image quality and radia on dose of CCTA using high-pitch spiral or sequen al acquisi on mode in pa ents with low and stable heart rates. Materials and Methods: Pa ents with low and stable heart rates (HR) (HR ≤ 70 beats per minute [bpm]; heart rate variability [HRV] < 10 bpm) were randomly assigned to high-pitch spiral mode (group A; n = 80) or sequen al acquisi on mode (group B; n = 80). Image quality scores, image noise, effec ve radia on dose and influencing factors on image quality were assessed. Results: Mean image quality scores were 1.51 ± 0.32 and 1.70 ± 0.38 for groups A and B (P < 0.05), respec vely. Image noises of the two groups were 19.05±4.70 Hu and 27.21±8.88 Hu (P < 0.05). Contrast media cost in group A was lower than group B (P < 0.05). No sta s cal difference was found in the rate of diagnos c pa ents between the two groups (P = 0.416). The es mated radia on dose of group A was 26.0% reduced compared with group B (0.74 ± 0.34 mSv vs. 1.00 ± 0.48 mSv, P < 0.05). Conclusion: In pa ents with regular and low heart rates, the prospec vely high-pitch spiral acquisi on mode can reduce radia on dose and contrast media cost while maintaining image quality compared with the prospec vely sequen al mode.