Clinical Application of "Three-Low" Technique Combined with Artificial Intelligence Iterative Reconstruction Algorithm in Aortic CT Angiography

  Objective  To explore the application value of the "three-low" technique (low radiation dose, low contrast agent dosage and low contrast agent flow rate) combined with artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction (AIIR) in aortic CT angiography (CTA).

  Methods  A total of 33 patients who underwent aortic CTA were prospectively enrolled. Based on the time of their follow-up examinations, the imaging data were divided into Group A and Group B, with Group A being the control group (100 kV, 0.8 mL/kg, 5 mL/s) and Group B being the "three-low" technique group (70 kV, 0.5 mL/kg, 3 mL/s). In group A, the images were reconstructed by Karl iterative algorithm. Group B was divided into B1 and B2 subgroups, with their images being reconstructed by Karl iterative algorithm and AIIR, respectively. The CT and SD values of the ascending aorta, descending aorta, abdominal aorta, left common iliac artery and right common iliac artery were measured, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. The subjective scoring of image quality was performed. The radiation dose parameters were documented.

  Results  Differences in the CT value, SD value, SNR and CNR of the three groups were statistically significant (P<0.001). The CT value, SNR and CNR of group B2 were significantly higher than those of group B1, while the SD value of group B2 was significantly lower than that of group B1 (P<0.017). There was no significant difference between the CT values of group A and those of group B2 (P>0.017). The SD values, SNR and CNR in group B2 were better than those in group A (P>0.017). There was significant difference in the subjective evaluation of image quality among the three groups (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between group A and group B2 (P>0.017). The radiation dose and contrast medium dosage in group B decreased 84.14% and 37.08%, respectively, compared with those of group A.

  Conclusion  With the "three-low" technique combined with AIIR algorithm, the image quality of aortic CTA obtained is comparable to that of conventional dose scanning, while the radiation dose, contrast agent dosage and contrast agent flow rate of patients are significantly reduced.