SAVING RADIATION-DOSE AND CONTRAST-MEDIA IN INTRAVENOUS DIGITAL SUBTRACTION ANGIOGRAPHY BY USE OF BOLUS CHASING

Purpose: This study evaluates the dose area product, the amount of con trast media and the examination quality of the bolus chasing technique compared to the single-step technique in intravenous digital subtract ion angiography. Material and Methods: 15 examinations each with bolus chasing and single-step technique were compared. The dose area produc t and the volume of contrast media were recorded. The examination qual ity was scored by two examiners. Results: With bolus chasing the volum e of the administered contrast media could be decreased on average by 114 ml (43%). The difference between the dose area product of bolus ch asing (722 dGy/cm(2)) and single-step technique (1910 dGy/cm(2)) was s ignificant. No significant difference in examination quality was found . Conclusions: The intravenous bolus chasing technique is a practicabl e method. Compared to the single-step technique it allows a remarkable dose reduction and a low consumption of contrast media without restri ction of examination quality.