Acquisition Phase

Phase Included

Scan Delay

Respiration Phase

Anatomical Coverage

Non Contrast

Yes

N/A

Inspiration

Carina through the apex of the heart

Arterial Phase

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Venous Phase

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Delayed Phase

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Scan Comments: Sequential cardiac calcium scoring is performed when the patient’s heart rate is 75 bpm or greater. Additionally, an adaptive sequence calcium score can be performed with irregular heart rates to avoid reconstruction artifacts. All scans are performed using the ALARA principle.

 

Technical Parameters

Parameters

kVp

120

Effective mAs

Use dose reduction software

Care Dose Reference mAs

80

Time (Rotation)

0.28 sec (flex)

Average Acquisition Time

HR Dependent

Collimation

128 x 0.6 mm

Pitch Value

HR Dependent

Scan Direction

Craniocaudal

Comments: Both the pitch and the scan time will vary based upon the patient's heart rate. Dose reduction software is used to reduce patient dose.

 

Reconstruction Parameters

Soft Tissue

Soft Tissue Open Field

Thin Data Open Field

Lung

Slice Thickness

 3mm

 3mm

0.75 mm

 3mm

Reconstruction Spacing

 3mm

 3mm

0.5 mm

 3mm

Reconstruction Algorithm

 B36f ASA

 B30f

B20f

 B80f

Window Width and Level

 500/100

 410/10

410/10

 1600/-500

Reconstruction Comments: These scans are performed using prospective gating which does not allow the reconstruction percentage to be adjusted once the exam is completed. For higher heart rates in excess of 75 bpm, a lower ECG reconstruction percentage is used (i.e.40%). For lower heart rates (65 bpm or less), a higher ECG reconstruction percentage is used (i.e. 70%).

 

Contrast Parameters

Parameters

Contrast Type

N/A

Contrast Volume

N/A

Saline Flush

N/A

Injection Rate

N/A

Oral Contrast

N/A

Contrast Volume

N/A

Comments: IV contrast is not necessary for this exam.