Selecting a CT scanner for cardiac imaging: the heart of the matter.
Coronary angiography to assess the presence and degree of arterial stenosis is an examination now routinely performed on CT scanners. Although developments in CT technology over recent years have made great strides in improving the diagnostic accuracy of this technique, patients with certain characteristics can still be "difficult to image". The various groups will benefit from different technological enhancements depending on the type of challenge they present. Good temporal and spatial resolution, wide longitudinal (z-axis) detector coverage and high X-ray output are the key requirements of a successful CT coronary angiography (CTCA) scan. The requirement for optimal patient dose is a given. The different scanner models recommended for CTCA all excel in different aspects. The specification data presented here for these scanners and the explanation of the impact of the different features should help in making a more informed decision when selecting a scanner for CTCA.
1 Department of Medical Physics, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Maria A
MA
Lewis
2 King's Technology Evaluation Centre (KiTEC), King's College London, London, UK.|3 Department of Medical Engineering and Physics, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Ana
A
Pascoal
1 Department of Medical Physics, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.|2 King's Technology Evaluation Centre (KiTEC), King's College London, London, UK.|4 Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, UK.
Stephen F
SF
Keevil
2 King's Technology Evaluation Centre (KiTEC), King's College London, London, UK.|3 Department of Medical Engineering and Physics, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Cornelius A
CA
Lewis
D057791:Cardiac Imaging Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards*