Phantom Simulation Model for Testing Enhancement of Image Contrast in Coronary Artery Based on Body Weight and Body Surface Area Calculations

Abstract

The Houndsfield Unit (HU) on contrast media is critical in CT cardiac imaging since its arterial contrast enhancement depends on the accurate drug dosage calculation and base on a specific patient’s body weight (BWp) or body surface area (BSA). The study aims to develop a model of the coronary arterial mimicking phantoms and to compare the contrast enhancement in both the BWp and BSA calculations. The 3D printing model of the coronary arterial mimicking phantoms (PLA material) was developed in the frame of experimental study design. The contrast media dosage (a mixture of 30 mL NaCl saline and 350 mg/mL Xolmetras), generated from the two different dose protocol calculations (BWp and BSA), was independently filled into the model. The simulated chest weight was varied at 37, 47, 57, 67, and 77 kg when performing CT cardiac. The averaged HU resulted from the six selected ROIs (proximal, medial, and distal area of coronary artery phantom images) was analyzed with paired t-test (95% CI). A comparison study between the BWp and BSA dose protocol calculations was deemed significant (p-value > 0.05). Both dose protocol calculations produce the same volume and weight at 57 mL and 57 kg respectively. The BSA provides the most optimal con-trast enhancement at 2148.16 HU. The coronal arterial mimicking phantom has the feasibility as a test object to estimate the suitability of contrast media drug doses on cardiac CT imaging. However, further clinical study needs to perform to test its sensitivity.