Study Comparing Standard Weight-Based and Blood Volume-Based Contrast Agent Dosing for CT Scans to Achieve Equal Contrast in Men and Women

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how to improve the dosing of iodine-containing contrast media used in CT scans of the thorax and abdomen, focusing on differences between men and women. Current dosing is based on body weight, but previous research showed women tend to have about 10% higher iodine contrast compared to men of the same height and weight, likely due to physiological sex differences in blood volume. The study aims to test whether adjusting contrast doses based on blood volume rather than weight can equalize contrast levels between sexes. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups a control group receiving the usual weight-based contrast dose, and a study group receiving a contrast dose adjusted by sex-specific blood volume using the Nadler formula. The contrast agent used is Imeron 350 containing Iomeprol, with adjustments made by replacing saved contrast volume with saline. The study will compare iodine contrast values in vessels and organs between these groups. During the study, participants will undergo a contrast-enhanced CT scan in the portal venous phase. The team will measure the sex-specific differences in contrast and evaluate whether blood volume-based dosing provides sufficient contrast for diagnostic purposes. Secondary assessments include verifying the adequacy of adjusted contrast amounts and comparing imaging accuracy using dual- or multi-energy CT. The study will last for one year, with all imaging and evaluations done under medical supervision.

Study on Sex-specific, Individualized Dose Calculation of Contrast Agent in CT Examinations