Lower contrast agent dose feasible in 320 row CT angiography

October 1, 2011 in Other

The analysis of 180 CT angiography studies done using a 320 detector row CT scanner found that a contrast media protocol based on 60 milliliters of iopamidol "had sufficient enhancement in more than 96% of coronary segments," said Frank Rybicki, MD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and one of the authors of the study.

"Many centers currently use a higher iodine load comparable or equal to 80 milliliters of iopamidol," he said. The study shows that "this is not necessary, and the extra contrast means unnecessary costs and increased risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) to the patients." The risk of CIN is of special concern for these patients because they commonly have a renal insufficiency, which is known major risk factor for CIN, Dr. Rybicki added.

"We analyzed larger patients only (those with a of more than 30) and found that 92% of coronary segments had sufficient enhancement," said Dr. Rybicki. "These results support the general use of 60 milliliters of iopamidol for done on 320 detector row CT scanners," he said.

The study is published in the October, 2011 .

Provided by American Roentgen Ray Society

5 /5 (1 vote)  

Rank 5 /5 (1 vote)
Relevant PhysicsForums posts

More news stories

Flesh-eating disease victim gets prosthetic hands

(AP)—A woman who lost both hands, her left leg and right foot after contracting a flesh-eating disease has been fitted with prosthetic hands.

Other created May 18, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Illinois Senate approves medical marijuana bill

(AP)—Medical marijuana use in Illinois is now in Gov. Pat Quinn's hands after the state Senate approved legislation.

Other created May 17, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Nigerian court jails two over killer teething drug

A Nigerian court on Friday sentenced two officials from a pharmaceutical company to seven years in prison over the sale of an adulterated teething drug which killed 84 babies in 2008.

Other created May 17, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Many patients would switch doc to cut health care costs

(HealthDay)—Many Americans feel that keeping out-of-pocket health care costs is more important than staying with the same primary care physician.

Other created May 17, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Cultural attitudes impede organ donations in China

(AP)—China is phasing out its reliance on executed prisoners for donated organs, but an architect of the country's transplant system said Friday that ingrained cultural attitudes are impeding the rise of ...

Other created May 17, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0


'Gap' for HIV vaccine efforts after latest setback

The hunt for an HIV vaccine has gobbled up $8 billion in the past decade, and the failure of the most recent efficacy trial has delivered yet another setback to 26 years of efforts.

Consuming coffee linked to lower risk of detrimental liver disease, study finds

Regular consumption of coffee is associated with a reduced risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), an autoimmune liver disease, Mayo Clinic research shows. The findings were being presented at the Digestive Disease ...

Ketamine shows significant therapeutic benefit in people with treatment-resistant depression

Patients with treatment-resistant major depression saw dramatic improvement in their illness after treatment with ketamine, an anesthetic, according to the largest ketamine clinical trial to-date led by researchers from the ...

Research examines new methods for managing digestive health

Research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) explores new methods for managing digestive health through diet and lifestyle.

New smartphone application improves colonoscopy preparation

The use of a smartphone application significantly improves patients' preparation for a colonoscopy, according to new research presented today at Digestive Disease Week (DDW). The preparation process, which begins days in ...

New research identifies risks, interventions for children's GI health

An increasing number of U.S. children are experiencing gastrointestinal issues that require interventions to resolve, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW).