title: Established and emerging dose reduction methods in cardiac computed tomography.
abstract: Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is a non-invasive modality that is commonly used as an alternative to invasive coronary angiography for the investigation of coronary artery disease. The enthusiasm for this technology has been tempered by a growing appreciation of the potential risks of malignancy associated with the use of ionising radiation. In the spirit of minimizing patient risk, the medical profession and industry have worked hard to developed methods and protocols to reduce patient radiation exposure while maintaining excellent diagnostic accuracy. A complete understanding of radiation reduction techniques will allow clinicians to reduce patient risk while providing an important diagnostic service. This review will consider the established and emerging techniques that may be adopted to reduce patient absorbed doses from x-ray CT. By modifying (1) x-ray tube output, (2) imaging time (scan duration), (3) imaging distance (scan length) and (4) the appropriate use of shielding, clinicians will be able to adhere to the 'as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)' principle.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, ON, K1Y4W7, Canada.
authors.forename: Gary R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Small
authors.forename: Mustapha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kazmi
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dekemp
authors.forename: Benjamin J W
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Chow
mesh_terms: D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*