Reduced Axial Scan Length Coronary Calcium Scoring Reduces Radiation Dose and Provides Adequate Clinical Decision-Making Before Coronary CT Angiography.

ABSTRACT: Extensive coronary artery calcium (CAC) diminishes the accuracy of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Many imagers adjust CCTA acquisition parameters depending on a preCCTA Agatston CAC score to optimize diagnostic accuracy. Typical preCCTA CAC imaging adds considerably to radiation exposure, partially attributable to imaging beyond the area known for highest CAC, the proximal coronary arteries. We aimed to determine whether a z-axis reduced scan length (RSL) would identify the majority of CAC and provide adequate information to computed tomography angiography providers relative to a standard full-scan length (FSL) preCCTA noncontrast CT. We retrospectively examined 200 subjects. The mean CAC scores detected in RSL and FSL were 77.4 (95% CI 50.6 to 104.3) and 93.9 (95%

SUBMITTER: Young CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7744187 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature