Lower contrast agent dose feasible in 320 row CT angiography

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 body mass index 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 CT angiography done on 320 detector row CT scanners," he said.

The study is published in the October, 2011 American Journal of Roentgenology.