Evaluation of anemia on unenhanced CT of the thorax

Objective: To explore the correlation between CT density of blood in Cardiac Chambers and hemoglobin concentration in blood, and to evaluate the veracity of diagnosis of aneamia on unenhanced computed tomography of the thorax. Methods: Thorax (heart) helical CT was performed in 92 patients. In each case, the CT values of the blood pool in left ventricle and ventricular septum were tested, and the ratio of blood pool/ventricular septum were calculated. The hemoglobin concentration in blood was tested. The correlation among these indexes were analysed. Results: In these factors, CT density of blood was strongly and positively correlated with hemoglobin concentration in blood (r=0.571, P=0.000), and the CT density ratio was also strongly and positively correlated with hemoglobin concentration in blood (r=0.650, P=0.000). It dramatically implies that the patient may be suffering from aneamia when the ratio is Ness than 90% (male) or 87% (female). Conclusion: Blood pool/ventricular septum CT density ratio may be as a reliable indicator for judging and grading aneamia with CT. (authors)