ObjectiveTo propose a protocol for pulmonary angiography using 64-slice multidetector
computed tomography (64-MDCT) with 50 mL of iodinated contrast material, in
an unselected patient population, as well as to evaluate vascular
enhancement and image quality.Materials and MethodsWe evaluated 29 patients (22-86 years of age). The body mass index ranged
from 19.0 kg/m2 to 41.8 kg/m2. Patients underwent
pulmonary CT angiography in a 64-MDCT scanner, receiving 50 mL of iodinated
contrast material via venous access at a rate of 4.5 mL/s. Bolus tracking
was applied in the superior vena cava. Two experienced radiologists assessed
image quality and vascular enhancement.ResultsThe mean density was 382 Hounsfield units (HU) for the pulmonary trunk; 379
and 377 HU for the right and left main pulmonary arteries, respectively; and
346 and 364 HU for the right and left inferior pulmonary arteries,
respectively. In all patients, subsegmental arteries were analyzed. There
were streak artifacts from contrast material in the superior vena cava in
all patients. However, those artifacts did not impair the image
analysis.ConclusionOur findings suggest that pulmonary angiography using 64-MDCT with 50 mL of
iodinated contrast can produce high quality images in unselected patient
populations.
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