PURPOSE: To prospectively compare the results of coronary artery calcium (CAC) measurements obtained with 55- and 165-mAs eiectrocardiographically gated multi-detector row computed tomography (CT).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional clinical study review board approval and written informed consent were obtained. Fifty-one consecutive subjects (mean age, 59 years � 10) were scanned consecutively by using 165 and 55 mAs. For each examination, the number of lesions, total calcium score (TCS) calculated with Agatston algorithm (130-HU threshold), and calcium mass (in milligrams) were measured. Noise was measured by averaging 1 standard deviation of the CT attenuation values in five consecutive transverse sections of the ascending aorta. Paired r test and Pearson correlation were used to compare measurements between the examinations.
RESULTS: By using 55 mAs, CAC was detected (TCS > 0) in all 33 subjects in whom CAC was initially detected with 165 mAs. The mean values of CAC measures with 165 and 55 mAs, respectively, were as follows: number of lesions, 6.2 � 9.6 and 6.1 + 9.4; TCS, 123 � 223 and 126 � 225; and calcium mass, 23.25 mg � 43 and 24.25 mg � 44 (P value was not significant for all parameters). Significant high correlation was found between the two methods for all measures (r > 0.90, P < .01). Similar results were obtained with analysis by coronary vessel. Image noise was 9.3 HU � 2.1 with 165 mAs and 14.7 HU � 3.9 with 55 mAs (P < .001), with a parallel decrease in the volume CT dose index from 12 to 4 mGy.
CONCLUSION: Radiation dose can be reduced (eg, 55 mAs) for CAC detection and measurement at multi-detector row CT and provides results comparable to those obtained with 165 mAs.