Radiation and Radiation Risk
Key Points ▪ Radiation exposure is an inherent and undeniable risk of cardiac CT. ▪ The favored unit to express radiation exposure per CT scan is the millisievert (mSv). ▪…
Contrast Enhancement
Key Points ▪ Contrast enhancement is crucial to optimal CT angiography and to most applications of cardiovascular CT. ▪ Synchronizing contrast delivery to image acquisition for CT angiography requires that…
Introduction
Cardiac computed tomography (CT), the most highly developed application of x-ray imaging, is currently experiencing more advancement per year than ever in its history—probably more than any other imaging modality…
Overview of the Process, Exclusions and Risks, and Preparation
Key Points ▪ Review of patient and study issues, planning, and preparation are required before the scan is performed. The degree of planning and preparation has a direct impact on…
The Thoracic Aorta
Key Points ▪ The chest radiograph is useful to prompt consideration of aortic pathologies but is not able to reliably offer a final diagnosis for most, which is reserved for…
Pulmonary Vasculature and Pulmonary Embolism
Key Points ▪ To appreciate the abnormal patterns of pulmonary vasculature, it is important to be proficient with the details and nuances of normal pulmonary vasculature patterns. ▪ The classic…
Bioprosthetic Valves
Key Points ▪ Most bioprostheses can be identified on and localized by chest radiography. The lateral chest radiograph often assists with obviating the projection of a bioprosthesis onto the spine,…
Mechanical Prosthetic Valves
Key Points ▪ Mechanical prostheses are evident on chest radiography. Their position is readily determined. ▪ Older models of mechanical prostheses were radiographically obvious due to the greater ferrous metal…
Annuloplasty Rings
Key Points ▪ Annuloplasty rings may be inserted to support mitral or tricuspid valve repairs. ▪ The radiographic appearance of annuloplasty rings varies according to the design and includes partial…
Heart Failure
Key Points ▪ One of the great contributions of chest radiography to clinical cardiology and intensive care medicine is the assessment of left-sided heart failure, because chest radiography adds incrementally…
