Catheter Angiography (Vascular)
Catheter angiography refers to x-ray imaging of the blood vessels while contrast material is injected through an introducer (needle, catheter, or sheath) positioned within the vessel of interest. First developed…
When to Choose What Test (Cardiac)
Many symptoms and signs encountered in the course of clinical care may raise concern for cardiac dysfunction. These manifestations may include chest pain or discomfort, dyspnea, exercise intolerance, edema, syncope,…
Computed Tomography Angiography (Vascular)
Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is an exciting technology that allows noninvasive assessment of the vasculature. Over the past few decades, the use of CTA has grown tremendously due to the…
Vascular Ultrasound
Ultrasound is the most popular noninvasive imaging technique for evaluation of the vascular system. Vascular ultrasound has significant advantages. It provides comprehensive anatomic and flow details of the vascular system,…
Radionuclide Imaging (Cardiac)
Principles of Nuclear Cardiac Imaging and Performing Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography and Positron Emission Tomography Studies Cardiac imaging using nuclear techniques plays a critical role in the diagnostic and therapeutic…
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Techniques and Protocols
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences are numerous, and possible imaging planes are infinite. Each sequence is designed to provide specific information about function, anatomy, or tissue characteristics. Each sequence…
Cardiac Gated Computed Tomography
General Principles Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is a specialized form of chest CT. All the technical principles that govern the acquisition and reconstruction of chest CT also apply to cardiac…
Coronary Angiography: Technique
Background Despite major advances in other imaging modalities, invasive cardiac catheterization remains a critical component of cardiovascular care. More than 1.1 million cardiac catheterization procedures, in addition to approximately 1.3…
Normal Chest Radiography and Computed Tomography
Radiography Technique Projections The standard radiographic views for evaluation of the chest are the posteroanterior (PA) and lateral projections with the patient standing; such projections provide the essential requirement for…
Pleural Effusion
Etiology, Prevalence, and Epidemiology Pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space resulting from disruption of the homeostatic forces responsible for the movement of pleural fluid. Pleural…
