Academic Radiology
Volume 13, Issue 1 , Pages 95-103, January 2006

Contrast Enhancement in Electron Beam Tomography of the Heart: Comparison of a Monomeric and a Dimeric Iodinated Contrast Agent in 59 Patients1

  • Christian N.H. Enzweiler, MD

      Affiliations

    • Institut für Radiologie, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Schumannstraβe 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to: C.N.H.E
    • ,
  • Sebastian Höhn, MD

      Affiliations

    • Strahlenklinik, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
    • ,
  • Matthias Taupitz, MD

      Affiliations

    • Institut für Radiologie, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Schumannstraβe 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany
    • ,
  • Alexander E. Lembcke, MD

      Affiliations

    • Institut für Radiologie, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Schumannstraβe 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany
    • ,
  • Till H. Wiese, MD

      Affiliations

    • Radiologisches Institut, Augusta-Kranken-Anstalt Bochum, Bochum, Germany
    • ,
  • Bernd Hamm, MD

      Affiliations

    • Institut für Radiologie, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Schumannstraβe 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany
    • ,
  • Dietmar E. Kivelitz, MD

      Affiliations

    • Institut für Radiologie, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Schumannstraβe 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany

Received 17 May 2005; received in revised form 21 September 2005; accepted 21 September 2005.

Rationale and Objectives

The aim of the study is to determine whether intravascular time-density course and visualization of the coronary arteries differ with use of a hyperosmolar monomeric versus an iso-osmolar dimeric contrast agent in electron beam tomography (EBT) of the heart.

Materials and Methods

Fifty-nine patients underwent EBT of the coronary arteries using the monomeric ioversol or the dimeric iodixanol at the same concentration of 320 mg I/mL. Contrast volume was determined relative to body surface area and injected over 40 seconds. Intravascular time-density curves were created for quantitative analysis. For qualitative assessment, visualization of coronary arteries on axial scans and three-dimensional reconstructions was scored. Patients were matched for contrast flow, transit time, and mean pulse rate for statistical analysis.

Results

Ioversol produced a significantly greater increase in intravascular density for up to 30 seconds after injection (P < .01) compared with iodixanol. No difference between the two contrast media was seen in the qualitative assessment.

Conclusion

Monomeric and dimeric contrast media differ in their time-density curves at coronary EBT, a reason for which is not apparent. Qualitative evaluation of coronary arteries is not affected by this difference.

Key Words:  Electron beam computed tomograph , coronary arteries , contrast agents

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PII: S1076-6332(05)00811-1

doi:10.1016/j.acra.2005.09.089

Academic Radiology
Volume 13, Issue 1 , Pages 95-103, January 2006

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