Application of aortic Computed Tomography angiography with low radiation dose: Assessment of image quality and radiation dose

Computed Tomography angiography has become a major diagnostic imaging technique in patients suspected of having aortic diseases. However, aortic CTA needs a long scanning range, usually from subclavian artery to the origin of femoral arteries, which therefore includes high radiation dose. Besides of diagnostic value, aortic CTA is also used for follow-up as well as pre- and post-operative assessment of aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection. Hence patients are exposed to a higher radiation dose. Consequently reduction of radiation dose is essential, especially for patients undergoing follow-up imaging. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to prospectively compare aortic CTA usingMDCT at 80 kV and 120 kV, with regard to image quality and radiation dose. The 80 kV protocol allows a significant reduction of radiation dose in aortic CTA compared with the 120 kV protocol.