A Feasibility Study to Evaluate Replacing Conventional Computed Tomography at 120 KVP with Low Radiation Dose and Low Iodine Intake Based on Body Mass Index-Adapted Abdominal Computed Tomography Angiography in 291 Patients

BACKGROUND: This feasibility study aimed to evaluate replacing conventional computed tomography at 120 kVp with low radiation and low iodine dose based on body mass index (BMI)-adapted abdominal computed tomography angiography in 291 patients. MATERIAL/METHODS: A total of 291 abdominal CTA patients were divided into 3 individualized kVp groups according to their BMI: A1 with 70 kVp (n=57), A2 with 80 kVp (n=49), and A3 with 100 kVp (n=48); and 3 conventional 120 kVp groups: B1 (n=40), B2 (n=53), and B3 (n=44) BMI-matched with group A. The contrast media was 300 mgI/kg for group A and 500 mgI/kg for group B. The CT values and SD of the abdominal aorta and the erector spinae were measured, and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and figure-of-merit (FOM) were calculated. Imaging quality, radiation, and contrast media dosage were evaluated. RESULTS: The CT and CNR of abdominal aorta in groups A1 and A2 were higher than those in groups B1 and B2 (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups A3 and B3 (P>0.05). FOM of the abdominal aorta in group A was higher than that in group B (P<0.05). Compared with groups B1, B2, and B3, the radiation doses of A1, A2, and A3 groups decreased by 70.61%, 56.72%, and 31.87%, and contrast intake decreased by 39.94%, 38.74%, and 35.09%, respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BMI-based individualized kVp abdominal CTA imaging significantly reduced overall radiation dose and contrast media intake while providing excellent image quality.