Dual-source CT coronary angiography: prospective versus retrospective acquisition technique

Abstract

Coronary CT with prospective ECG gating, a standard feature on new scanners, allows for a significant reduction in radiation dose without causing any significant decrease in image quality or in the number of segments assessed. The prospective technique is thus recommended for patients with heart rates £70 bpm and BMI £30 kg/m(2).

Recent advances in cardiac computed tomography dose reduction strategies: a review of scientific evidence and technical developments

“…[8][9][10][11] Subsequent technologic evolution in both hardware and software CT technologies has helped lead a decreasing trend in mean radiation dose from cardiac CT. 12 Several studies have demonstrated that the radiation dose from cardiac CT angiography (CCTA) can be reduced to lower than invasive catheter angiography with the use of techniques, such as prospective triggering, low tube potential technique, automatic exposure control (AEC), iterative reconstructive techniques, and so on. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] Conversely, despite the abundance of radiation dose-reduction strategies, several studies have reported a high variability in the radiation doses from cardiac CT. 11,[28][29][30] In an international, multicenter study, Hausleiter et al 11 reported that median doses from CCTA varied substantially among 21 participating institutions' different CT systems, and that radiation reduction strategies were not adequately utilized.…”