CT coronary angiography at an ultra-low radiation dose (<0.1 mSv): feasible and viable in times of constraint on healthcare costs.
Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) has reached very high standards both in terms of diagnostic performance and radiation dose reduction. This commentary follows a report on CTCA using less than 0.1 mSv in selected patients. This is an extraordinary accomplishment, both for technology and for medicine. The difficult task is now to implement this tool in clinical practice so it can play the best possible role. CTCA can improve diagnostic pathways, can save money for healthcare systems and could even improve pharmacological therapy. All of this may happen, but it will require the combined effort of all the experienced operators in this field, including the referring clinicians. In times of financial constraint, CTCA may also help to restrict ineffective medical expenses.
Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Center University, 's Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands. filippocademartiri@gmail.com
Filippo
F
Cademartiri
Erica
E
Maffei
Teresa
T
Arcadi
Onofrio
O
Catalano
Massimo
M
Midiri
D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000191:economics*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States