The Taguchi-based optimization of head and neck CT angiography (CTA) using in-vivo enhanced triggered timing for 600 patients was accomplished in this study. A total of 600 patients were categorized into three (test, verification, and implementation groups with 360, 120, and 120 patients, respectively). The patients in the test group were randomly assigned into 18 sub-groups according to Taguchi L18(21×36) orthogonal array for optimizing factor combinations of head and neck CTA. The signal-to-noise ratio was defined as a high LRA/US ratio (both left and right arterial pressure divided by upper sinuses’ one) and low stdev. The seven factors of CTA were: (A) left- or right-hand injection; (B) tube current, mA; (C) kilovoltage peak, kVp; (D) contrast media concentration; (E) FOV; (F) flow rate of contrast media; and (G) rotation time for one CTA loop. With the Taguchi unique organization, 18 sub-groups (each containing 20 patients’ real LRA/US ratios) could cover 1458 cases and provide the appropriate reliability. The optimal factor combination was identified as follows: (A) left-hand injection, (B) tube current of 280mA, (C) 100kVp, (D) contrast media concentration of 60%, (E) FOV of 250mm, (F) contrast media flow rate of 4.0ml/s, and (G) rotation time for one CTA loop of 0.9s. The optimal suggestion was validated in the verification group with 120 patients and applied to the implementation group with 120 patients. The successful factor combination is instrumental in defining a standard protocol for medical staff in deriving the maximal LRA/US value (2.320±0.764) of head and neck CTA.

中文翻译：

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基于 TAGUCHI 的头颈部 CT 血管造影优化：600 名患者的体内增强触发时间

基于田口的头颈部CT血管造影（CTA）优化体内在这项研究中完成了 600 名患者的增强触发时间。共有 600 名患者被分为三组（测试组、验证组和实施组，分别为 360、120 和 120 名患者）。试验组患者按照田口L随机分为18个亚组18（21×36) 正交阵列，用于优化头颈部 CTA 的因子组合。信噪比定义为高 LRA/US 比值（左右动脉压除以上鼻窦压力）和低标准差。CTA的七个因素是：（A）左手或右手注射；(B) 管电流，mA；(C) 千伏峰值，kVp；(D) 造影剂浓度；(E) 视场；(F) 造影剂的流速；(G) 一个 CTA 循环的旋转时间。使用田口独特的组织，18 个子组（每个包含 20 名患者的真实 LRA/US 比率）可以覆盖 1458 例并提供适当的可靠性。最佳因素组合确定如下：（A）左手注入，（B）管电流为280毫安, (C) 100kVp，(D) 造影剂浓度为 60%，(E) FOV 为 250mm, (F) 造影剂流速 4.0ml/s，和 (G) 一个 CTA 循环的旋转时间为 0.9s。最优建议在 120 名患者的验证组中得到验证，并应用于 120 名患者的实施组。成功的因素组合有助于为医务人员定义标准方案以得出最大 LRA/US 值（2.320±0.764) 的头颈部 CTA。