Kilovoltage peak
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Kilovoltage peak (kVp) is the peak voltage applied to the x-ray tube, which accelerates electrons from the cathode to the anode andin radiography or computed tomography. This factor in turn determines the maximal energy of the photons generated. It also determines tube current in space charge region.
An An increase in kVp extends the entire x-ray emission spectrum to right (ie,, resulting in a higher average energy) as well.
Along with the mAs, kVp is one of the primary settings that is adjusted on x-ray machines to control the dose, exposure, and image contrast.
The radiation dose increases to the patient increases by a power function relative to the kVp increase, with an exponent in the range of 2.5 to 3 at typical diagnostic x-ray energies 3. For example, an increase from 100 to 120 kVp would increase dose by more than 50% if if other parameters such as mAs and film focus distance parameters
At higher kVp, however, the beam is better able to penetrate the patient and expose the receptor to form an image.
Increasing the kVp will decrease the contrast seen between soft tissue and bone 2.
-<p><strong>Kilovoltage peak (kVp) </strong>is the peak voltage applied to the <a href="/articles/x-ray-tube-1">x-ray tube</a>, which accelerates electrons from the cathode to the anode and in turn determines the maximal energy of the photons generated. It also determines tube current in <a href="/articles/space-charge-effect">space charge</a> region. </p><p>An increase in kVp extends the x-ray spectrum to right (ie, higher average energy). The radiation <a href="/articles/absorbed-dose">dose</a> increases by a power function relative to the kVp increase, with an exponent in the range of 2.5 to 3 <sup>3</sup>. For example, an increase from 100 to 120 kVp would increase dose by more than 50% if other parameters such as <a href="/articles/milliampere-seconds-mas">mAs</a> and <a href="/articles/film-focus-distance">film focus distance</a> parameters were held constant. </p><p>Increasing the kVp will decrease the contrast seen between soft tissue and bone <sup>2</sup>.</p>- +<p><strong>Kilovoltage peak (kVp) </strong>is the peak voltage applied to the <a href="/articles/x-ray-tube-1">x-ray tube</a>, which accelerates electrons from the cathode to the anode in <a href="/articles/digital-radiography">radiography</a> or <a href="/articles/computed-tomography">computed tomography</a>. This factor in turn determines the maximal energy of the photons generated. An increase in kVp extends the entire x-ray emission spectrum to right, resulting in a higher average energy as well. </p><p>Along with the <a href="/articles/milliampere-seconds-mas">mAs</a>, kVp is one of the primary settings that is adjusted on x-ray machines to control the dose, exposure, and image contrast. </p><p>The radiation <a href="/articles/absorbed-dose">dose</a> to the patient increases by a power function relative to the kVp increase, with an exponent in the range of 2.5 to 3 at typical diagnostic x-ray energies <sup>3</sup>. For example, an increase from 100 to 120 kVp would increase dose by more than 50% if other parameters were held constant. </p><p>At higher kVp, however, the beam is better able to penetrate the patient and expose the receptor to form an image. </p><p>Increasing the kVp will decrease the contrast seen between soft tissue and bone <sup>2</sup>.</p>
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