Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
Volume 1, Issue 1 , Pages 62-65, July 2007

Practical tips and tricks in cardiovascular computed tomography: Patient preparation for optimization of cardiovascular CT data acquisition

  • Sandra Simon Halliburton, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Radiology, Cardiovascular Imaging Laboratory, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author.
    • ,
  • Suhny Abbara, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

Received 3 April 2007; accepted 16 April 2007. published online 21 May 2007.

The acquisition of diagnostic cardiovascular computed tomography (CT) images requires careful preparation of the patient before scanning. Guidelines for patient preparation are largely dictated by scanner capabilities and the technical limits they impose on patient-specific characteristics. The objective of this paper is to highlight procedures for patient screening, premedication, instruction, positioning, and electrocardiographic (ECG) lead placement. Awareness of scanner limitations and adherence to patient preparation guidelines can significantly improve CT image quality and diagnostic yield.

Keywords: Angiography, Body mass index, Breathhold, Calcium scoring, Cardiac motion, Computed tomography, Contrast agent, Coronary artery disease, ECG, electrocardiogram, Heart rate

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 Conflict of interest: Dr Halliburton reports that she is supported by a research grant from Siemens Medical Solutions. Dr Abbara reports that he has received a honorarium from Siemens and that he is on the medical advisory panels of EZEM and Partners Imaging.

PII: S1934-5925(07)00005-6

doi:10.1016/j.jcct.2007.04.004

Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
Volume 1, Issue 1 , Pages 62-65, July 2007

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