Feasibility of tube current modulation based on the chest circumference in coronary CT angiography

Objective: To establish a function model to modulate the tube current according to the chest circumference at Coronary CTA scan, and to evaluate the feasibility of using the function model individually. Methods: Sixty-eight consecutive patients who underwent thoracic scan with automatic current modulation were studied to establish a function model of tube current and chest circumference. The other 64 consecutive patients underwent coronary CTA scan using the new function model. The image quality was scored, and the noise, tube current and radiation dose were recorded and statistically evaluated. Results: The POW function model was the best one to adjust tuber current to the chest circumference (R² = 0.691, P < 0.05). The mean image quality score, noise, tube current, radiation dose (CTDI_vol) and dose-length product (DLP) were (3.38±0.72) scores, (31.02±3.97) HU, (390.63±89.30) mA, (34.83±10.72) mGy, (751.67±175.16) mGy·cm, respectively. Conclusions: Tube current modulation based on the chest circumference would be feasible to reduce the radiation dose individually in coronary CT angiography. (authors)