ABSTRACT
To perform computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography it is mandatory to obtain prominent vascular enhancement. Bolus geometry is the pattern of enhancement represented as a time–density curve in a given vessel after the administration of a bolus of contrast material. Contrast-material synchronization techniques are fixed delay, test bolus technique, and bolus tracking technique. In the evaluation of cardiac thrombi, cardiac/pericardial and mediastinal masses, and the visualization of cardiac veins, a high vascular enhancement is not necessary and a lower injection rate with the same contrast-material volume will produce longer vascular enhancement. The optimal technique for contrast-material synchronization is bolus tracking, which is available on current multislice CT scanners with cardiac imaging capabilities. Adequate vascular enhancement is of paramount importance to the success of coronary CT angiography. The injection parameters and the resulting synchronization protocols should be optimal.
