Methods
coronary artery disease
CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Following the current routine setting that varies between three weight groups (group A: 55–65 kg, group B: 66–75 kg, group C: 76–85 kg), three additional reduction protocols were proposed to each group, with different combinations of lowered tube voltage (70–100 kVp), tube current (100–220 mAs), and iodine delivery rate (0.8–1.5 gI/s). A total of 321 patients scheduled for CCTA due to suspected coronary artery disease were enrolled, who were randomly assigned to one of the four subgroups of settings under the corresponding weight group. The resulting objective image quality was compared by measuring the contrast‐to‐noise ratio and signal‐to‐noise ratio. Subjective image quality was graded by two radiologists using a 4‐point Likert scale, on a total of 3848 segments. The optimal protocol for each weight group was determined with respect to the image quality and the applied radiation dose.