Cardiovascular computed tomography angiography in newborns and infants with suspected congenital heart disease: retrospective evaluation of low-dose scan protocols

Clin Imaging. 2012 Nov-Dec;36(6):746-53. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2012.01.043. Epub 2012 Jun 8.

Abstract

Twelve infants (body weight, 3.59±1.36 kg) with congenital heart disease underwent a clinically indicated cardiovascular computed tomography angiography (CTA) study. Retrospectively, we investigated the feasibility and diagnostic capability of different non-electrocardiogram-triggered CTA protocols and assessed radiation doses. Scans were performed on a 256-multislice CT (MSCT) scanner with the vendor-preset helical protocol at 120 kV for babies, with axial single-shoot scans at 120 kV and 80 kV. The 80-kV protocol led to significantly reduced mean effective doses of 0.29±0.08 mSv (P=.017) and renders diagnostic image quality. All major cardiovascular defects were detected on MSCT, and all images were of diagnostic quality.

MeSH terms

  • Coronary Angiography / methods*
  • Female
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Radiation Dosage*
  • Radiation Protection / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*