Analyzing cardiac output in patients undergoing cardiac CT

Purpose The study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility to measure cardiac output by using test bolus technique in patients undergoing coronary evaluation through cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) imaging. Methods Patients referred to our hospital for coronary artery evaluation using CCTA were included in the study. Standardized imaging protocols were utilized, and all technologists and investigators were blinded to the inclusion of specific datasets in the study. Test bolus techniques were employed to optimize contrast media injection timing and improve the quality of the imaging test. Technologists identified regions of interest—the ascending aorta and descending aorta-measuring the contrast media concentration as a function of time for each. Results Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant inverse associations between cardiac output and the AUC at both the descending (r = − 0.422, p < 0.001) and ascending aorta (r = − 0.465, p < 0.001). In addition, a negative correlation was observed between cardiac index and the AUC of the ascending aorta (r = − 0.346, p = 0.011). Conclusions The study demonstrates that the test bolus method not only improves the quality of cardiac CT imaging but also provides a reliable means of predicting cardiac output using just 10 mL of iodine contrast. Importantly, our results revealed significant inverse correlations between test bolus–derived parameters and cardiac output at both the ascending and descending aorta, highlighting the broader applicability of this approach.