Diagnostic Value of Aortic CT Angiography Using High-Pitch Scan with Low-Dose Contrast Media

Aortic CT angiography (CTA) is essential for diagnosing abdominal aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections. However, the use of high doses of contrast agents can cause adverse effects and pose significant risks, particularly in patients with impaired renal function. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value and clinical utility of a low-dose (30 mL) contrast protocol that can be applied to patients at risk of contrast-related complications. A total of 151 patients were included and divided into two groups under identical scanning conditions: the conventional aortic CTA group (n=74) and the low-dose, high-pitch CTA group (n=77). Evaluation criteria included radiation dose, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for quantitative assessment, along with qualitative image analysis using a Likert scale. The results demonstrated that the low-dose, high-pitch CTA protocol reduced contrast agent usage by 70% and radiation dose (CTDIvol) by 57.3% compared to conventional CTA, while maintaining sufficient image quality for diagnostic purposes. In particular, the proposed protocol may be clinically useful for elderly patients, those with renal impairment, and individuals requiring preoperative or postoperative follow-up examinations.