Acquisition Phase

Phase Included

Scan Delay

Respiration Phase

Anatomical Coverage

Non Contrast

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Arterial Phase

Yes

Bolus triggered

Inspiration

Lung apices through the diaphragm

Venous Phase

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Delayed Phase

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Scan Comments: The flash spiral mode is most successful when imaging patients with heart rates 60-70 bpm. Utilizing this mode will result in extremely low dose exams. All scans are performed using the ALARA principle. 3D post-processing is performed with this protocol.

Technical Parameters

Parameters

kVp

120

Effective mAs

Use dose reduction software

Quality Reference mAs

360

Time (Rotation)

0.28 sec

Average Acquisition Time

1-2 sec

Collimation

128 x 0.6mm

Pitch Value

3.2

Scan Direction

Craniocaudal

Comments: Using the flash spiral mode allows for greatest dose savings potential. The entire data series is collected in one heart beat thus avoiding the need for a slow pitch with multiple images across the R-R interval of the ECG wave. 100 kVp is used for most average size patients. ECG dose modulation is not necessary for this protocol. Dose reduction software is used to reduce patient dose.

Reconstruction Parameters

Thin Data Heart Mag

Soft Tissue Open Field

Thin Data Open Field

Lung Open Field

Slice Thickness

0.75 mm

3 mm

 0.75 mm

3 mm

Reconstruction Spacing

0.5 mm

3 mm

 0.5 mm

3 mm

Reconstruction Algorithm

B26f ASA

B30f

B20f

B80f

Window Width and Level

500/100

410/10

410/10

1600/-500

Reconstruction Comments: The reconstruction field of view is limited to 33.2cm using the flash spiral scan mode. An additional smaller DFOV reconstruction that only includes the heart and aorta will increase spatial resolution of the coronary vessels.

Reconstruction Parameters

Coronal Open Field

Sagittal Open Field

Slice Thickness

 3 mm

3 mm

Reconstruction Spacing

 3 mm

3 mm

Reconstruction Algorithm

B30f

B30f

Window Width and Level

410/10

410/10

Reconstruction Comments: The reconstruction field of view is limited to 33.2cm using the flash spiral scan mode. An additional smaller DFOV reconstruction that only includes the heart and aorta will increase spatial resolution of the coronary vessels.

Contrast Parameters

Parameters

Contrast Type

Non-ionic

Contrast Volume

80-100 mL

Saline Flush

30 mL

Injection Rate

5-7 mL/sec

Oral Contrast

N/A

Contrast Volume

N/A

Comments: Bolus tracking is used ideal with a 300 HU trigger value on the ascending aorta. A saline flush can be used to soften the SVC and limit beam hardening artifact.