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Computed Tomography Arteriograms (CTA) Volume Dose Reduction Study

Does Reduction in Contrast Administration Dose in Computed Tomography Arteriograms Degrade Image Quality? A Single Institutional Review of an Ultra-low Contrast Dose Protocol

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02669784
Enrollment
34
Registered
2016-02-01
Start date
2016-02-29
Completion date
2018-11-30
Last updated
2019-06-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Aortic and Arterial Anomalies, Aortic Aneurysm, Contrast Induced Nephropathy

Brief summary

The purpose of the study is to determine if the dose of contrast (Omnipaque) administered for Computed Tomography Arteriograms (CTA) can be reduced without degradation of image quality. The hypothesis is that there is no difference in image quality using ultra-low dose contrast in CTA exams compared to routine, standard of care dose exams.

Detailed description

Any adult patient age 18 and above, scheduled for routine CTA (Computed Tomography Arteriograms) of the chest or chest, abdomen and pelvis meeting inclusion criteria and not meeting any exclusion criteria will be included in the study. The patient will be administered a low dose of intravenous contrast based on the study examination as described below. CTA of the chest: 40 mL of intravenous contrast (Omnipaque) at a rate of 5mL/sec. A region of interest (ROI) to trigger the scan will be placed in the aortic arch. If scan is performed using high pitch helical mode, the scan delay will be increased by 2 seconds. CTA of the chest and abdomen or CTA of the chest, abdomen and pelvis: 50 mL of intravenous contrast (Omnipaque) at a rate 5mL/sec. A region of interest (ROI) to trigger the scan will be placed in the aortic arch. If scan is performed using high pitch helical mode, the scan delay will be increased by 2 seconds. Following the examination, the primary investigator (PI) or team members will evaluate the images obtained with low contrast dose and each patient's prior CTA examination performed with routine contrast dose, 100mL at a rate of 4mL/sec. This will be done by quantitative and qualitative measures. For the quantitative portion, the PI or team members will place regions of interest on predetermined arterial locations to obtain measure the degree of opacification. For qualitative measurement, the images will be presented in a blind fashion to two thoracic trained board certified radiologists and a board certified interventional radiologist to determine the quality of the images based on a Likert numerical scale. Qualitative and quantitative data for the images obtained with low contrast dose and those for the prior CTA examinations performed with routine contrast dose will be compared. This data along with details of the scan protocol (dose, dose rate, scanning parameters etc.) and demographic data (such as sex, age and BMI at the time of examination) will be recorded.

Interventions

DRUGLow Dose Contrast (Omnipaque) 40mL

The patient will be administered a low dose, 40mL of intravenous contrast (Omnipaque) at a rate of 5mL/sec based on the area of the body being scanned (chest versus chest and abdomen versus chest, abdomen and pelvis). This will be compared to the patient's prior examination performed with 100mL of intravenous contrast at a rate of 4mL/sec.

DRUGLow Dose Contrast (Omnipaque) 50 mL

The patient will be administered a low dose, 50mL of intravenous contrast (Omnipaque) at a rate of 5mL/sec based on the area of the body being scanned (chest versus chest and abdomen versus chest, abdomen and pelvis). This will be compared to the patient's prior examination performed with 100mL of intravenous contrast at a rate of 4mL/sec.

Sponsors

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Any adult patient scheduled for a computed tomographic arteriogram (CTA) of the chest or chest, abdomen and pelvis who had undergone a prior CTA performed with the standard contrast dose (100 mL) at this institution will be included in the study * The follow-up scan will be routine standard of care, no emergency imaging patient will be approached for this research

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with no prior CTA imaging for comparison * Any pediatric patient (age \<18) * BMI \>40 * Inability to follow instructions * Allergy to intravenous contrast * GFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Ascending Sinotubular Junction MeasurementAt 30 daysFollowing image acquisition, quantitative analysis was performed by measurement of the attenuation of the contrast bolus by use of Hounsfield Units. Measurement was taken at the ascending aorta near the sinotubular junction.
Descending Thoracic Aorta Measurement30 daysFollowing image acquisition, quantitative analysis was performed by measurement of the attenuation of the contrast bolus by use of Hounsfield Units. A measurement was taken from the distal abdominal aorta prior to the bifurcation.
Celiac Measurement30 daysFollowing image acquisition, quantitative analysis was performed by measurement of the attenuation of the contrast bolus by use of Hounsfield Units. A measurement was taken from the proximal abdominal aorta at the level of the celiac axis.
Burfication Measurement30 daysFollowing image acquisition, quantitative analysis was performed by measurement of the attenuation of the contrast bolus by use of Hounsfield Units. A measurement was taken from the distal abdominal aorta prior to the bifurcation.
Right Common Femoral Artery Measurement30 daysFollowing image acquisition, quantitative analysis was performed by measurement of the attenuation of the contrast bolus by use of Hounsfield Units. A measurement was taken from the right common femoral artery.
Left Common Femoral Artery Measurement30 daysFollowing image acquisition, quantitative analysis was performed by measurement of the attenuation of the contrast bolus by use of Hounsfield Units. A measurement was taken from the right common femoral artery.
CTA Vessel Opacification Grading 130 days5 Point Grading Scale was used to determine CTA Vessel Opacification by a Board Certified Radiologist. 1. Poor opacification with no difference in attenuation of the lumen compared to the wall of the vessel. Non diagnostic. 2. Decreased opacification. Little to no difference in attenuation between the lumen and the wall. Non diagnostic. 3. Moderate opacification of the lumen of the vessel. Diagnostic study. 4. Good opacification of the lumen of the vessel. 5. Excellent opacification of the lumen of the vessel with distinct difference in attenuation of the wall and lumen of the vessel.
CTA Vessel Opacification Grading 230 days5 Point Grading Scale was used to determine CTA Vessel Opacification by a second Board Certified Radiologist. 1. Poor opacification with no difference in attenuation of the lumen compared to the wall of the vessel. Non diagnostic. 2. Decreased opacification. Little to no difference in attenuation between the lumen and the wall. Non diagnostic. 3. Moderate opacification of the lumen of the vessel. Diagnostic 4. Good opacification of the lumen of the vessel. 5. Excellent opacification of the lumen of the vessel with distinct difference in attenuation of the wall and lumen of the vessel.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Low Dose Contrast (40mL)
CTA of the chest: 40 mL of intravenous contrast at a rate of 5mL/sec. A region of interest (ROI) to trigger the scan will be placed in the aortic arch. If scan is performed using high pitch helical mode, the scan delay will be increased by 2 seconds. The Low Dose scan will then be compared to the standard of care high dose scan of the same area taken at a previous date.
18
Low Dose Contrast (50mL)
CTA of the abdomen OR or CTA of the chest and abdomen or CTA of the abdomen and pelvis or CTA of the chest, abdomen and pelvis: 50 mL of intravenous contrast at a rate 5mL/sec. A region of interest (ROI) to trigger the scan will be placed in the aortic arch. If scan is performed using high pitch helical mode, the scan delay will be increased by 2 seconds. The Low Dose scan will then be compared to the standard of care high dose scan of the same area taken at a previous date.
16
Total34

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicLow Dose Contrast (40mL)Low Dose Contrast (50mL)Total
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
11 Participants10 Participants21 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
7 Participants6 Participants13 Participants
Age, Continuous66 years62 years66 years
Contrast, 100mL: Ascending: Sinotubular Junction Measurement317.5 hounsfield units397.6 hounsfield units352.6 hounsfield units
Contrast, 100mL: Bifurcation Measurement322.4 hounsfield units361.4 hounsfield units354.9 hounsfield units
Contrast, 100mL: Celiac Measurement309.1 hounsfield units363.8 hounsfield units334.2 hounsfield units
Contrast, 100mL: CTA Vessel Opacification Grading 14.9 score on a scale4.7 score on a scale4.79 score on a scale
Contrast, 100mL: CTA Vessel Opacification Grading 24.8 score on a scale4.8 score on a scale4.8 score on a scale
Contrast, 100mL: Descending: Pulmonary Artery Measurement283.9 hounsfield units338.1 hounsfield units329 hounsfield units
Contrast, 100mL: Left Common Femoral Measurement332 hounsfield units350.9 hounsfield units348.5 hounsfield units
Contrast, 100mL: Right Common Femoral Measurement331.3 hounsfield units331 hounsfield units331 hounsfield units
Contrast, 100mL: Scan Dose18 Participants16 Participants34 Participants
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected0 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
18 participants16 participants34 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
6 Participants5 Participants11 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
12 Participants11 Participants23 Participants
Type of Scan
Abdomen and Pelvis Scan
0 Participants4 Participants4 Participants
Type of Scan
Abdomen Scan
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Type of Scan
Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis Scan
0 Participants11 Participants11 Participants
Type of Scan
Chest and Abdomen Scan
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Type of Scan
Chest Scan
17 Participants0 Participants17 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 180 / 16
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 180 / 16
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 180 / 16

Outcome results

Primary

Ascending Sinotubular Junction Measurement

Following image acquisition, quantitative analysis was performed by measurement of the attenuation of the contrast bolus by use of Hounsfield Units. Measurement was taken at the ascending aorta near the sinotubular junction.

Time frame: At 30 days

Population: Ascending Sinotubular Junction Measurement was assessed for the following scans: Chest, Abdomen \& Pelvis, and Chest, Abdomen, \& Pelvis

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (40mL)Ascending Sinotubular Junction Measurement246.4 Hounsfield units
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (50mL)Ascending Sinotubular Junction Measurement287.5 Hounsfield units
Primary

Burfication Measurement

Following image acquisition, quantitative analysis was performed by measurement of the attenuation of the contrast bolus by use of Hounsfield Units. A measurement was taken from the distal abdominal aorta prior to the bifurcation.

Time frame: 30 days

Population: Burfication measurements were taken from the following scans: Abdomen, Abdomen \& Pelvis, and Chest, Abdomen, \& Pelvis.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (40mL)Burfication Measurement336.2 Hounsfield units
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (50mL)Burfication Measurement321.2 Hounsfield units
Primary

Celiac Measurement

Following image acquisition, quantitative analysis was performed by measurement of the attenuation of the contrast bolus by use of Hounsfield Units. A measurement was taken from the proximal abdominal aorta at the level of the celiac axis.

Time frame: 30 days

Population: Celiac Measurement was assessed for all scans: Chest, Abdomen, Abdomen \& Pelvis, and Chest, Abdomen, \& Pelvis.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (40mL)Celiac Measurement243.8 Hounsfield units
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (50mL)Celiac Measurement329.5 Hounsfield units
Primary

CTA Vessel Opacification Grading 1

5 Point Grading Scale was used to determine CTA Vessel Opacification by a Board Certified Radiologist. 1. Poor opacification with no difference in attenuation of the lumen compared to the wall of the vessel. Non diagnostic. 2. Decreased opacification. Little to no difference in attenuation between the lumen and the wall. Non diagnostic. 3. Moderate opacification of the lumen of the vessel. Diagnostic study. 4. Good opacification of the lumen of the vessel. 5. Excellent opacification of the lumen of the vessel with distinct difference in attenuation of the wall and lumen of the vessel.

Time frame: 30 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (40mL)CTA Vessel Opacification Grading 14 score on a scale
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (50mL)CTA Vessel Opacification Grading 14.3 score on a scale
Primary

CTA Vessel Opacification Grading 2

5 Point Grading Scale was used to determine CTA Vessel Opacification by a second Board Certified Radiologist. 1. Poor opacification with no difference in attenuation of the lumen compared to the wall of the vessel. Non diagnostic. 2. Decreased opacification. Little to no difference in attenuation between the lumen and the wall. Non diagnostic. 3. Moderate opacification of the lumen of the vessel. Diagnostic 4. Good opacification of the lumen of the vessel. 5. Excellent opacification of the lumen of the vessel with distinct difference in attenuation of the wall and lumen of the vessel.

Time frame: 30 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (40mL)CTA Vessel Opacification Grading 24.2 score on a scale
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (50mL)CTA Vessel Opacification Grading 24.4 score on a scale
Primary

Descending Thoracic Aorta Measurement

Following image acquisition, quantitative analysis was performed by measurement of the attenuation of the contrast bolus by use of Hounsfield Units. A measurement was taken from the distal abdominal aorta prior to the bifurcation.

Time frame: 30 days

Population: Descending Thoracic Aorta Measurement was assessed for the following scans: Chest, and Chest, Abdomen, \& Pelvis

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (40mL)Descending Thoracic Aorta Measurement261.9 Hounsfield units
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (50mL)Descending Thoracic Aorta Measurement312.8 Hounsfield units
Primary

Left Common Femoral Artery Measurement

Following image acquisition, quantitative analysis was performed by measurement of the attenuation of the contrast bolus by use of Hounsfield Units. A measurement was taken from the right common femoral artery.

Time frame: 30 days

Population: All participants in the Contrast (Omnipaque) Low dose (40mL) underwent only a CTA of the chest or abdomen which is incapable of measuring the Left common femoral artery

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (50mL)Left Common Femoral Artery Measurement309.5 Hounsfield units
Primary

Right Common Femoral Artery Measurement

Following image acquisition, quantitative analysis was performed by measurement of the attenuation of the contrast bolus by use of Hounsfield Units. A measurement was taken from the right common femoral artery.

Time frame: 30 days

Population: All participants in the Contrast (Omnipaque) Low dose (40mL) underwent only a CTA of the chest or abdomen which is incapable of measuring the right common femoral artery.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Contrast (Omnipaque) Low Dose (50mL)Right Common Femoral Artery Measurement314.5 Hounsfield units

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026