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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 Jul 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr. 2017 Mar 22;11(4):249–257. doi: 10.1016/j.jcct.2017.03.002

Table 1.

Clinical coronary CTA scan protocol on 2nd and 3rd generation DSCT

2nd generation DSCT 3rd generation DSCT
Topogram – Lateral and PA
 Tube voltage/tube current 120 kVp/30 mA 120 kVp/30 mA
Noncontrast scan for calcium scoring and range planning
 Tube voltage 120 kV (fixed) 120 kV (fixed)
 Tube current reference mA 80 (CareDose 4D enabled) reference mA 80 (CareDose 4D enabled)
 Triggering/gating Prospectively ECG-triggered axial-sequential, single phase at absolute delay of 280 msec Prospectively ECG-triggered axial-sequential, single phase at absolute delay of 280 msec
 Kernel Filtered back projection B35f Filtered back projection Qr36
 Rotation time 0.28 sec 0.25 sec
Coronary CTA
 Tube voltage reference kV 120 (Care kV enabled) reference kV 120 (Care kV enabled)
 Tube current reference mA 280 (CareDose 4D enabled) reference mA 280 (CareDose 4D enabled)
 ECG synchronization
 Prospectively ECG triggered (heart rate < approximately 75 beats per min or arrhythmia)

  • Prospectively ECG triggered axial-sequential, scan from 200–950 msec after R-wave; arrythmia rejection enabled (Adaptive Cardio Sequential)

  • Prospectively ECG triggered axial-sequential, scan from 200–950 msec after R-wave; arrythmia rejection enabled (Adaptive Cardio Sequential)
 Retrospectively ECG gated (heart rate > approximately 75 beats per min and regular; or difficulty breath holding)

  • Retrospectively ECG gated helical (pitch 0.17 - 0.8 dependent on heart rate)

  • Retrospectively ECG gated helical (pitch 0.15 - 0.8 dependent on heart rate)
 Tube current modulation

  • Prospective ECG triggering:

    • Peak tube current 300–400 msec (100%)

    • Reduced tube current remainder of cycle (20%)

  • Retrospective ECG gating

    • Peak tube current 300–400 msec (100%)

    • Reduced tube current remainder of cycle (4%-Min Dose)

  • Prospective ECG triggering:

    • Peak tube current 300–400 msec (100%)

    • Reduced tube current remainder of cycle (20%)

  • Retrospective ECG gating

    • Peak tube current 300–400 msec (100%)

    • Reduced tube current remainder of cycle (4%-Min Dose)
 Contrast timing Isovue 370, bolus timing method with 20cc test bolus Isovue 370, bolus timing method with 20cc test bolus
 Contrast injection Power injector with mixed contrast injection weight-based software Power injector with mixed contrast injection weight-based software
 Kernel/Data Reconstruction I131F SAFIRE strength 3 (out of 5) Bv40 ADMIRE strength 3 (out of 5)
 Rotation time 0.28 sec 0.25 sec
 Slice thickness 0.6 mm 0.6 mm
 Slice increment 0.3 mm 0.3 mm