Arterial calcification volume is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events in pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

Background And Aims: Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) patients have more arterial calcification due to lower levels of inorganic pyrophosphate, caused by mutations in the ABCC6 gene, but the relation with vascular complications is poorly understood. Because of the slow progressing nature of arterial disease in PXE patients, there is a need for a valid and reliable intermediate endpoint to be used in future clinical trials. Arterial calcification measured on computed tomography (CT) is a promising candidate, if associated with future cardiovascular events.

Plasma lipids in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum (PXE) patients: A comparative study with population-based reference values and Non-PXE controls.

Background And Aims: - Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare genetic disease caused by pathogenic mutations in the ABCC6 gene, resulting in low values of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi). While low PPi is thought to contribute to arterial calcification, it remains unclear whether this fully explains premature calcification in PXE. It has been hypothesized that the ABCC6 gene could be related to dyslipidemia, which could contribute to vascular calcification seen in PXE.

Incidental Indeterminate Renal Lesions: Distinguishing Non-Enhancing from Potential Enhancing Renal Lesions Using Iodine Quantification on Portal Venous Dual-Layer Spectral CT.

The purpose of our study is to determine a threshold for iodine quantification to distinguish definitely non-enhancing benign renal lesions from potential enhancing masses on portal venous dual-layer spectral computed tomography (CT) to reduce the need for additional multiphase CT. In this single-center retrospective study, patients (≥18 years) scanned between April 2021 and January 2023 following the local renal CT protocol were included. Exclusion criteria were patients without renal lesions, lesions smaller than 10 mm, only fat-containing lesions, abscesses or infarction, follow-up after radiofrequent ablation, wrong scan protocol, or artefacts.

Do pseudoxanthoma elasticum patients have higher prevalence of kidney stones on computed tomography compared to hospital controls?

Background: Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by diminished inorganic plasma pyrophosphate (PPi), a strong calcification inhibitor. In addition to more typical calcification of skin, retina and arterial wall a diminished plasma PPi could lead to other ectopic calcification, such as formation of kidney stones.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of kidney stones between PXE patients and hospital controls on computed tomography (CT).

BMI is not independently associated with coronary artery calcification in a large single-center CT cohort.

Objective: Obesity is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD mortality. However, previous reports showed a paradoxical protective effect in patients with known CVD referred as "obesity paradox". Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI) with coronary artery calcification (CAC) in a large outpatient cardiac CT cohort.

Individualized Contrast Media Application Based on Body Weight and Contrast Enhancement in Computed Tomography of Livers without Steatosis.

This study analyzes the homogeneity in liver attenuation of a body-weight-based protocol compared to a semi-fixed protocol. Patients undergoing abdominal multiphase computed tomography received 0.500 g of iodine (gI) per kilogram of body weight.

Liver Enhancement on Computed Tomography Is Suboptimal in Patients with Liver Steatosis.

This study's aim was twofold. Firstly, to assess liver enhancement quantitatively and qualitatively in steatotic livers compared to non-steatotic livers on portal venous computed tomography (CT). Secondly, to determine the injection volume of contrast medium in patients with severe hepatic steatosis to improve the image quality of the portal venous phase.

Computed tomography-based calcium scoring in cadaver leg arteries: Influence of dose, reader, and reconstruction algorithm.

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) might be a good diagnostic test to accurately quantify calcium in vascular beds but there are multiple factors influencing the quantification. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different computed tomography protocol settings in the quantification of calcium in the lower extremities using modified Agatston and volume scores.

Methods: Fresh-frozen human legs were scanned at different tube current protocols and reconstructed at different slice thickness.

Quantification of Calcium in Peripheral Arteries of the Lower Extremities: Comparison of Different CT Scanners and Scoring Platforms.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the interscanner and interscoring platform variability of calcium quantification in peripheral arteries of the lower extremities.

Materials And Methods: Twenty human fresh-frozen legs were scanned using 3 different computed tomography (CT) scanners. The radiation dose (CTDIvol) was kept similar for all scanners.

Towards Personalised Contrast Injection: Artificial-Intelligence-Derived Body Composition and Liver Enhancement in Computed Tomography.

In contrast-enhanced computed tomography, total body weight adapted contrast injection protocols have proven successful in achieving a homogeneous enhancement of vascular structures and liver parenchyma. However, because solid organs have greater perfusion than adipose tissue, the lean body weight (fat-free mass) rather than the total body weight is theorised to cause even more homogeneous enhancement. We included 102 consecutive patients who underwent a multiphase abdominal computed tomography between March 2016 and October 2019.

Optimizing Pulmonary Embolism Computed Tomography in the Age of Individualized Medicine: A Prospective Clinical Study.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to simultaneously optimize contrast media (CM) injection and scan parameters for the individual patient during computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA).

Methods: In this study (NCT02611115), 235 consecutive patients suspected of having pulmonary embolism were prospectively enrolled. Automated kV selection software on a third-generation multidetector computed tomography adapted tube voltage to the individual patient, based on scout scans.

Contrast Media Administration in Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography - A Systematic Review.

 Various different injection parameters influence enhancement of the coronary arteries. There is no consensus in the literature regarding the optimal contrast media (CM) injection protocol. The aim of this study is to provide an update on the effect of different CM injection parameters on the coronary attenuation in coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA).

Patient Comfort During Contrast Media Injection in Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography Using Varying Contrast Media Concentrations and Flow Rates: Results From the EICAR Trial.

Purpose: Pain sensation and extravasation are potential drawbacks of contrast media (CM) injection during computed tomographic angiography. The purpose was to evaluate safety and patient comfort of higher flow rates in different CM protocols during coronary computed tomographic angiography.

Methods: Two hundred consecutive patients of a double-blind randomized controlled trial (NCT02462044) were analyzed.

Optimizing contrast media application in coronary CT angiography at lower tube voltage: Evaluation in a circulation phantom and sixty patients.

Purpose: The purpose was to investigate optimal contrast media (CM) injection parameters for lower kVp settings, whilst maintaining diagnostic attenuation levels.

Methods And Materials: First, a circulation phantom with physiological parameters (BP 120/80mmHg, HR 60bpm) was used. A fixed CM injection protocol was used for each kVp setting (300mgI/ml [Iopromide], volume=45ml, flow rate=6.

Evaluation of individually body weight adapted contrast media injection in coronary CT-angiography.

Objectives: Contrast media (CM) injection protocols should be customized to the individual patient. Aim of this study was to determine if software tailored CM injections result in diagnostic enhancement of the coronary arteries in computed tomography angiography (CTA) and if attenuation values were comparable between different weight categories.

Materials And Methods: 265 consecutive patients referred for routine coronary CTA were scanned on a 2nd generation dual-source CT.

Individualized CT Angiography Protocols for the Evaluation of the Aorta: A Feasibility Study.

Purpose: Ionizing radiation and iodinated contrast media are potential drawbacks to repetitive follow-up CT angiography in current practice. The aim of the present study was to optimize radiation dose and contrast agent volume by using individualized CT angiography protocols.

Materials And Methods: Eighty consecutive patients referred for CT angiography of the whole aorta were prospectively evaluated.

Individually tailored contrast enhancement in CT pulmonary angiography.

Objective: The purpose was to evaluate individually shaped contrast media (CM) delivery in CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods: 100 consecutive emergency patients with clinical suspicion of PE were evaluated. High-pitch CTPA was performed on a second-generation dual-source CT using the following parameters: 100 kV, 200-250 mAsref, rotation time 0.

Automated Tube Voltage Selection for Radiation Dose Reduction in CT Angiography Using Different Contrast Media Concentrations and a Constant Iodine Delivery Rate.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to systematically investigate radiation dose reduction using automated tube voltage selection during CT angiography (CTA) and to evaluate the impact of contrast medium (CM) injection protocols on dose reduction.

Materials And Methods: A circulation phantom containing the thoracic and abdominal vasculature was used. Four different concentrations of CM (iopromide 300 and 370 mg I/mL and iomeprol 350 and 400 mg I/mL) were administered while maintaining an identical iodine delivery rate (1.

Low contrast media volume in pre-TAVI CT examinations.

Purpose: To evaluate image quality using reduced contrast media (CM) volume in pre-TAVI assessment.

Methods: Forty-seven consecutive patients referred for pre-TAVI examination were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 BMI < 28 kg/m(2) (n = 29); and group 2 BMI > 28 kg/m(2) (n = 18).

Coronary CT angiography using low concentrated contrast media injected with high flow rates: Feasible in clinical practice.

Purpose: Aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that peak injection pressures and image quality using low concentrated contrast media (CM) (240 mg/mL) injected with high flow rates will be comparable to a standard injection protocol (CM: 300 mg/mL) in coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA).

Material And Methods: One hundred consecutive patients were scanned on a 2nd generation dual-source CT scanner. Group 1 (n=50) received prewarmed Iopromide 240 mg/mL at an injection rate of 9 mL/s, followed by a saline chaser.

Contrast Enhancement of the Right Ventricle during Coronary CT Angiography--Is It Necessary?

Purpose: It is unclear if prolonged contrast media injection, to improve right ventricular visualization during coronary CT angiography, leads to increased detection of right ventricle pathology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate right ventricle enhancement and subsequent detection of right ventricle disease during coronary CT angiography.

Materials And Methods: 472 consecutive patients referred for screening coronary CT angiography were retrospectively evaluated.