Contrast medium administration with a body surface area protocol in step-and-shoot coronary computed tomography angiography with dual-source scanners

We evaluated the feasibility and image quality of prospective electrocardiography (ECG)-triggered coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) using a body surface area (BSA) protocol for contrast-medium (CM) administration on both second- and third-generation scanners (Flash and Force CT), without using heart rate control. One-hundred-and-eighty patients with suspected coronary heart disease undergoing CCTA were divided into groups A (BSA protocol for CM on Flash CT), B (body mass index (BMI)-matched patients; BMI protocol for CM on Flash CT), and C (BMI-matched patients; BSA protocol for CM on Force CT). Patient characteristics, quantitative and qualitative measures, and radiation dose were compared between groups A and B, and A and C. Of the 180 patients, 99 were male (median age, 62 years). Average BSA in groups A, B, and C was 1.80 ± 0.17 m(2), 1.74 ± 0.16 m(2), and 1.64 ± 0.17 m(2), respectively, with groups A and C differing significantly (P < 0.001). Contrast volume (50.50 ± 8.57 mL vs. 45.00 ± 6.18 mL) and injection rate (3.90 ± 0.44 mL/s vs. 3.63 ± 0.22 mL/s) differed significantly between groups A and C (P < 0.001). Groups A and C (both: all CT values > 250 HU, average scores > 4) achieved slightly lower diagnostic image quality than group B. The BSA protocol for CM administration was feasible in both Flash and Force CT, and therefore may be valuable in clinical practice.