BACKGROUND
Computed tomographic coronary angiogram (CTCA) is a non-invasive test with a negative predictive value of nearly 100% for the detection of coronary artery study. While diagnostic yield of a dedicated CTCA with bubble contrast is not yet evaluated
OBJECTIVE
To assess the diagnostic performance of injected bubble contrast and ability to measure difference in hounsfield units and use it as a "negative contrast" in computed tomographic
METHODS
This is a single center, single patient study. Baseline acquisition of a non-contrast CT scan was acquired to get hounsfield unit count in the aorta and pulmonary artery- (Calcium scan protocol) 1.4 mGy (19.5 mGy/cm). Secondly, Echo contrasts (Definity) - 5mls was injected and an echocardiogram confirmed filling in the aortic region. Finally, bubble contrast (1ml air, 8mls water and 1mls blood was drawn up and agitated through a 3 way tap) - was injected, a timing run was initiated to calculate for the bubbles to opacity the pulmonary artery. The same scan protocol was used– 1.4 mGy (19.5 mGy/cm).
RESULTS
Hounsfield units’ difference in the aorta and pulmonary artery from baseline compared to echo contrast and bubble contrast were not significant.
CONCLUSIONS
We believe this is the first ever recorded case to use bubbles as CT contrast. While results were not significant, secondary to small volume of bubbles injected. Further research needs to be implemented to assess clinical difference with amount of bubbles and volume required.
CLINICALTRIAL
Single centre study
Assessment of fully automatic segmentation of pulmonary artery and aorta on non‐contrast CT with optimal surface graph cuts
