Fig 1.
Patient selection pathway and propensity score matching.
Fig 2.
Distribution of propensity scores in the study population.
Table 1.
Propensity score-matched patient characteristics.
Fig 3.
Distribution of artifacts (a) and subjective noise (b) between the low and the standard CM dose group. (low = low CM dose group, std = standard CM dose group, PT = pulmonary trunk, RLLPA = right lower lobe pulmonary artery, RIPV = right inferior pulmonary vein, SVC = superior vena cava, SC = subclavian vein, BC = brachiocephalic vein)
Fig 4.
55-year-old male patient with dyspnea.
Dual-energy CTPA with advanced monoenergetic image reconstructions and administration of 6 g iodine shows good opacification of the pulmonary vasculature with emboli in the right and left pulmonary arteries (arrows) (a) and in both lower lobe arteries (arrows) (b). Coronal thick (30 mm) maximum intensity projection (MIP) reformation (c) demonstrates good opacification of the pulmonary artery system to the segmental level.
Fig 5.
63-year-old male patient with chest pain and dyspnea.
Dual-energy CTPA with advanced monoenergetic image reconstructions and administration of 6 g iodine shows good opacification of the main pulmonary trunk and arteries (a) and a clot at the segmental level of the left lower lobe (arrow) (b). Coronal thick (30 mm) maximum intensity projection (MIP) reformation (c) demonstrates good opacification of the pulmonary artery system to the segmental level.
Fig 6.
Mean values and standard deviation of attenuation (a) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR, b) at the different locations. (CM = contrast media, PT = pulmonary trunk, RLLPA = right lower lobe pulmonary artery, RIPV = right inferior pulmonary vein).
Table 2.
CNR in the low and in the standard CM dose group.