PCCT reduced iodine load by 26.7% and CTDIvol by 24.4% compared to highly individualized EID-CT protocols, confirming real-world dose efficiency even against optimized reference standards.
Diagnostic image quality (IQ) remained equivalent, with no significant differences in attenuation or SNR and only a minor, clinically irrelevant CNR reduction proximally.
A TBW-adapted CM protocol with fixed 120 kV + 55 keV VMI is sufficient on PCCT, simplifying workflow while enabling contrast and radiation dose savings.
Access publication
Figure 3. Representative CT pulmonary artery scans from both a PCD-CT and an EID-CT. Images A, B were rated by both observers as moderate, and C, D were rated as good by both observers. Images E, F are examples of PE findings for both scanners
Source: Stammen et al, European Radiology, 2026.
Protocol
Detail | Protocol |
|---|
Scanner | NAEOTOM Alpha |
Scan area | Pulmonary arteries (CTPA) |
Scan mode | QuantumPlus |
Scan direction | n.r. |
Tube voltage [kV] | 120 |
Effective mAs [mAs] | n.r. |
IQ level | 70 (CARE keV) |
Dose modulation | CARE Dose4D, CARE keV |
CTDIvol [mGy] | 3.4 ± 1.1 |
DLP [mGy*cm] | n.r. |
Effective dose [mSv] | n.r. |
Rotation time [s] | 0.25 |
Pitch | 2.4 |
Slice collimation [mm] | 144 × 0.4 |
Slice width [mm] | 1.0 |
Reconstruction increment [mm] | 0.8 |
Reconstruction kernel | Bv40 |
Iterative reconstruction | QIR (strength 3) |
keV level [keV] | 55 (VMI) |
Contrast agent | Ultravist 300 / 370 |
Contrast volume | TBW-adapted (≈10.2 ± 1.4 g iodine total load) |
Flow rate | n.r. (fixed injection duration ~8 s) |
Saline chaser | 40 mL |
Acquisition phase | Pulmonary arterial (test bolus + peak + 7 s) |
Stammen L, Hoeijmakers EJI, Flohr TG, et al. Reducing contrast media dosage for pulmonary embolism CTPA in PCCT. Eur Radiol. 2026;36:3206–3215. doi:10.1007/s00330-025-12054-6
