Abstract: Objective    To explore the feasibility of using high concentration and low flow rate contrast agents combined with low tube voltage injection in abdominal aortic CTA.    Methods    Four hundred and thirty patients with abdominal aortic CT angiography were retrospectively collected and divided into group A (215 cases) and group B (215 cases). Group A was treated with iopamidol (370 mgI/ml) and administered at 400 mgI/kg, with a flow rate of 5 ml/s and a tube voltage of 120 kV. Group B was treated with lomeprol (400 mgI/ml) and administered at 300 mgI/kg, with a flow rate of 4 ml/s and a tube voltage of 100 kV. The image quality score, CT values of abdominal aorta and branches, effective radiation dose, and other indicators between the two groups were compared.    Results   Compared with Group A, the renal artery vascular display grading and image quality score in group B were better,  the CT values of the abdominal aorta, abdominal trunk, superior and inferior mesenteric arteries, and left and right renal arteries were higher, the radiation dose significantly decreased from (3.94±0.62) to (12.25±1.19) mSv (P<0.05), the total amount of iodine injected was less and the incidence of contrast agent extravasation was lower, all P<0.05. There was no statistical difference in signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio between the two groups (P>0.05) Conclusions    The combination of high concentration, low flow rate contrast agent and low tube voltage scheme can effectively reduce the risk of radiation dose, total injected iodine and contrast agent extravasation.

Key words:  Abdominal aorta; ,  ,  Abdomen; ,  ,  Computed tomography angiography; ,  ,  Contrast agent