Cardiac CT angiography in children with congenital heart disease

Cardiac imaging plays an important role in both congenital and acquired heart diseases. Cardiac computed tomography (angiography) cCT(A) is a non-invasive, increasingly popular, complementary modality to echocardiography in evaluation of congenital heart diseases (CHD) in children. Despite radiation exposure, cCT(A) is now commonly used for evaluation of the complex CHD, giving information of both intra-cardiac and extra-cardiac anatomy, coronary arteries, and vascular structures. This review article will focus on the fundamentals and essentials for performing cCT(A) in children, including radiation dose awareness, basic techniques, and strengths and weaknesses of cCT(A) compared with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI), and applications. The limitations of this modality will also be discussed, including the CHD for which cMRI may be substituted.     

Three-dimensional computed tomographic imaging of complex congenital cardiovascular abnormalities

Primary evaluation of congenital cardiac abnormalities traditionally relies upon echocardiography and conventional angiography, both of which have potential limitations. Echocardiography is an operator dependant study, limited by a small window and patient movement. Conventional angiography is an invasive procedure with an inherent risk of catheter complication such as vessel damage, bleeding, stroke and infection. During angiography, overlapping of the pulmonary and systemic circulation often provides a confusing picture given complex anatomy. Another limiting factor of particular significance in young children is radiation dose and contrast administration during catherization procedures. Three-dimensional MDCT provides an alternative to alleviate these pitfalls of traditional cardiac diagnostic studies. Development of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and 3D software provides new methods for non-invasive visualization and evaluation of congenital cardiac abnormalities. The multiplanar, volumetric functions allow faster and more complete computed tomography diagnosis and better understanding of clinical relevance of complex cardiac anatomy. In addition, 3D imaging is particularly useful for preoperative planning and postoperative outcomes. This essay provides case studies to illustrate the usefulness of MDCT/3D CT for evaluation of complex congenital heart disease.     

Cardiac MDCT in children: CT technology overview and interpretation

Cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for congenital heart disease is a useful, rapid, and noninvasive imaging technique bridging the gaps between echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, and cardiac MRI. Fast scan speed and greater anatomic coverage, combined with flexible ECG-synchronized scans and a low radiation dose, are critical for improving the image quality of cardiac MDCT and minimizing patient risk. Current MDCT techniques can accurately evaluate extracardiac great vessels, lungs, and airways, as well as coronary arteries and intracardiac structures. Radiologists who perform cardiac MDCT in children should be familiarized with optimal cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan techniques and characteristic cardiac CT scan imaging findings.     

Assessment of cardiac function using multidetector row computed tomography

In patients with suspected or documented heart disease, a precise quantitative and qualitative assessment of cardiac function is critical for clinical diagnosis, risk stratification, management and prognosis. Cardiac CT is increasingly being used in diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Initially multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) was used chiefly for detecting coronary artery stenosis and assessment of cardiac morphology. Electron beam computed tomography has been shown to provide a highly accurate ejection fraction (+/-1%), with 50 ms image acquisition per image. Retrospective electrocardiographic gating allows for image reconstruction in any phase of the cardiac cycle. Thus, end systolic and end diastolic images can be produced to assess ventricular volumes and function. Despite lower temporal resolution than electron beam computed tomography, the ability of MDCT to assess ejection fraction is preserved. In the assessment of cardiac function, MDCT has been shown to be in good agreement with echocardiography, cineventriculography, single photon emission computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The fast technical development of scanner hardware along with multisegmental image reconstruction has led to rapid improvement of spatial and temporal resolution and significantly faster cardiac scans. The same data that is acquired for MDCT angiography can also be used for evaluation of cardiac function. Considering contrast media application, radiation exposure, and limited temporal resolution, MDCT solely for analysis of cardiac function parameters seems not reasonable at the present time. However, because the data is already obtained during coronary evaluation, the combination of noninvasive coronary artery imaging and assessment of cardiac function with MDCT is a suitable approach to a conclusive cardiac workup in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. MDCT seems suitable for assessment of cardiac function by MDCT when results are held in comparison to magnetic resonance imaging as the reference standard. Given the radiation dose and contrast requirement, referring a patient to MDCT only for evaluation of function is not warranted, but rather adds important clinical information to the already acquired data during retrospective triggering for MDCT angiography.     

Radiation dose of cardiac CT—what is the evidence?

Current evidence and most pertinent literature on the radiation dose of cardiac computed tomography (CT) for the noninvasive assessment of coronary artery disease are reviewed. The various means for adjusting CT protocols to lower the radiation to a level that is as low as reasonably achievable are discussed. It is shown that for the target population of cardiac CT, the direct visualization of the heart and coronary arteries outweighs the hypothetical risk of the investigation, provided that indications are prudent and the protocols appropriate.     

Radiographic manifestations of congenital heart disease in the adult patient

Improvements in the preoperative evaluation, surgical treatment, and postoperative care of patients with congenital cardiac disease have allowed a large patient population with congenital cardiac abnormalities to reach adolescence and adulthood. Noninvasive diagnostic imaging procedures (e.g., plain film radiography, echocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging) are playing an increasingly important role in the evaluation and management of adults with both treated and untreated congenital cardiac disease. The role of plain film radiology is emphasized.     

Experience with computed transmission tomography of the heart in vivo

Cardiac computed tomography in its present form provides useful information about the heart for clinical use in patients with heart disease and for investigative work in such patients and living animals. Its great reconstructive power and unmatched density resolution are particularly advantageous in the study of ischemic heart disease. Because of its non-invasive character cardiac computed tomography has the potential of becoming an effective screening tool for large numbers of patients with suspected or known coronary heart disease. Other cardiac conditions such as valve disease and congenital lesions can also be examined with high diagnostic yield. However presently available scanners suffer from low repetion rate, long scan times and the fact that only one transverse cardiac level at a time can be obtained. The development which must be accomplished in order to eliminate these weaknesses is technically feasible. The availability of a dynamic cardiac scanner would greatly benefit the treatment of patients with heart disease and facilitate the inquiry into the pathophysiology of such diseases.     

低剂量冠状动脉CTA在高心率及心律失常病人中的研究现状

随着医学影像技术的不断发展,冠状动脉CT血管成像（CTA）已成为临床上筛选冠心病的重要检查方法,并广泛应用于临床。高心率以及心律失常以往一直被视为该项检查的瓶颈,随着多层螺旋CT的快速发展,两者不再成为冠状动脉CT检查的禁忌证,而且在降低辐射剂量的同时也能获得良好的影像质量。就冠状动脉CTA低剂量扫描在高心率及心律失常病人中的应用现状及最新进展予以综述。     

Assessment of adult congenital heart disease with multi-detector computed tomography: beyond coronary lumenography

Adult congenital heart disease is an increasingly prevalent condition with more than 135,000 patients affected in England alone. With this increased patient population and an increase in interventional procedures being performed on them, traditional imaging techniques such as cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) may be unavailable locally or contra-indicated. Cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is rapidly emerging as an alternative imaging method for the investigation of these patients and this review highlights the broad application of cardiac MDCT to this population and makes recommendations on the standardized reporting of complex congenital heart disease.     

Applications of multislice computed tomography in coronary artery disease

Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) provides high accuracy for noninvasive assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). The introduction of the latest computed tomography (CT) technology allows comprehensive evaluation of various aspects of CAD, including the coronary calcium score, coronary artery stenoses, bypass patency, and myocardial function. Other applications, such as plaque characterization, first-pass perfusion imaging, and viability imaging using delayed contrast enhancement, are still under development and may demonstrate clinical utility in the future. Further improvements in CT hardware and imaging protocols are expected that may result in improved coronary artery imaging, new applications, and a significant reduction of radiation dose.     

Truncus arteriosus: Diagnosis with dual-source computed tomography angiography and low radiation dose

Truncus arteriosus is an uncommon congenital cardiac abnormality which is characterized by a single arterial trunk origin from the heart that supplies both the systemic, pulmonary and coronary circulation. We present a preterm newborn female patient with type 2 truncusarteriosus, left superior vena cava and aberrant subclavian artery diagnosed with low dose dual-source cardiac computed tomography (CT). We discuss that low dose dual-source cardiac CT has more advantages than other imaging methods and it is an important modality for assessment of patients with conotruncal anomalies such as truncusarteriosus.     

2020 SCCT Guideline for Training Cardiology and Radiology Trainees as Independent Practitioners (Level II) and Advanced Practitioners (Level III) in Cardiovascular Computed Tomography: A Statement from the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

Cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) is a well-validated non-invasive imaging tool with an ever-expanding array of applications beyond the assessment of coronary artery disease. These include the evaluation of structural heart diseases, congenital heart diseases, peri-procedural electrophysiology applications, and the functional evaluation of ischemia. This breadth requires a robust and diverse training curriculum to ensure graduates of CCT training programs meet minimum competency standards for independent CCT interpretation. This statement from the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography aims to supplement existing societal training guidelines by providing a curriculum and competency framework to inform the development of a comprehensive, integrated training experience for cardiology and radiology trainees in CCT.     

多层探测器CT心脏成像的原理及进展

多层探测器CT技术的迅猛发展使其在心脏血管成像方面取得了广泛的应用,非常有潜力成为一种无创诊断心脏和冠脉疾病的理想工具。理解多层探测器CT心脏成像的原理及影响因素对于优化扫描程序、提高图像质量、降低辐射剂量是非常必要的。     

Erfassung und Monitoring der radiologischen Strahlenexposition

Strategies for reducing radiation exposure are an important part of optimizing medical imaging and therefore a relevant quality factor in radiology. Regarding the medical radiation exposure, computed tomography has a special relevance. The use of the integrating the healthcare enterprise (IHE) radiation exposure monitoring (REM) profile is the upcoming standard for organizing and collecting exposure data in radiology. Currently most installed base devices do not support this profile generating the required digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) dose structured reporting (SR). For this reason different solutions had been developed to register dose exposure measurements without having the dose SR object. Registration and analysis of dose-related parameters is required for constantly optimizing examination protocols, especially computed tomography (CT) examinations based on the latest research results in order to minimize the individual radiation dose exposure from medical imaging according to the principle as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).     

Future of cardiac computed tomography

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has become an integral tool in the noninvasive diagnostic workup of patients with suspected coronary artery disease in both elective and emergency settings. Today, it represents a mature technique providing accurate, non-invasive morphological assessment of the coronary arteries and atherosclerotic plaque burden. Iterative reconstruction algorithms, low kV imaging, and single-heart beat acquisitions hold promise to further reduce dose requirements and improve the safety and robustness of the technique in several circumstances including imaging of heavily calcified vessels, patients with morbid obesity or irregular heart rates, and assessment in the emergency setting. However, it has become clear over recent years that cardiac radiologists need to take further steps towards the development and integration of functional imaging with morphological CCTA assessment to truly provide a comprehensive evaluation of the heart. Computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging, including both dynamic and static dual-energy approaches, has demonstrated the ability to directly assess and quantify myocardial ischemia with simultaneous CCTA acquisition with a reasonable contrast medium volume and radiation dose delivered to the patient. In order to promote CCTA in the clinical and research environments, radiologists should prepare to embrace the change from morphological to functional imaging, furnishing all the necessary resources and information to referring clinicians.     

Radiation exposure in X-ray-based imaging techniques used in osteoporosis

Recent advances in medical X-ray imaging have enabled the development of new techniques capable of assessing not only bone quantity but also structure. This article provides (a) a brief review of the current X-ray methods used for quantitative assessment of the skeleton, (b) data on the levels of radiation exposure associated with these methods and (c) information about radiation safety issues. Radiation doses associated with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry are very low. However, as with any X-ray imaging technique, each particular examination must always be clinically justified. When an examination is justified, the emphasis must be on dose optimisation of imaging protocols. Dose optimisation is more important for paediatric examinations because children are more vulnerable to radiation than adults. Methods based on multi-detector CT (MDCT) are associated with higher radiation doses. New 3D volumetric hip and spine quantitative computed tomography (QCT) techniques and high-resolution MDCT for evaluation of bone structure deliver doses to patients from 1 to 3 mSv. Low-dose protocols are needed to reduce radiation exposure from these methods and minimise associated health risks.     

State-of-the-Art CT Imaging Techniques for Congenital Heart Disease

CT is increasingly being used for evaluating the cardiovascular structures and airways in the patients with congenital heart disease. Multi-slice CT has traditionally been used for the evaluation of the extracardiac vascular and airway abnormalities because of its inherent high spatial resolution and excellent air-tissue contrast. Recent developments in CT technology primarily by reducing the cardiac motion and the radiation dose usage in congenital heart disease evaluation have helped expand the indications for CT usage. Tracheobronchomalacia associated with congenital heart disease can be evaluated with cine CT. Intravenous contrast injection should be tailored to unequivocally demonstrate cardiovascular abnormalities. Knowledge of the state-of-the-art CT imaging techniques that are used for evaluating congenital heart disease is helpful not only for planning and performing CT examinations, but also for interpreting and presenting the CT image findings that consequently guide the proper medical and surgical management.     

Tricuspid Valve Imaging and Right Ventricular Function Analysis Using Cardiac CT and MRI

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can reveal the detailed anatomy and function of the tricuspid valve and right ventricle (RV). Quantification of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and analysis of RV function have prognostic implications. With the recently available transcatheter treatment options for diseases of the tricuspid valve, evaluation of the tricuspid valve using CT and CMR has become important in terms of patient selection and procedural guidance. Moreover, CT enables post-procedural investigation of the causes of valve dysfunction, such as pannus or thrombus. This review describes the anatomy of the tricuspid valve and CT and CMR imaging protocols for right heart evaluation, including RV function and TR analyses. We also demonstrate the pre-procedural planning for transcatheter treatment of TR and imaging of postoperative complications using CT.     

Imaging of the left ventricle in patients with ischemic heart disease: Role of the contrast angiogram

The constrast left ventriculogram is the gold standard against which all other cardiac imaging techniques are measured. In the past decade, noninvasive methods such as radionuclide angiography, echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), and digital substraction imaging have become available. This review examines the role of these techniques, and whether they will supersede the selective contrast ventriculogram. Each of these modalities seems to have specific capabilities and superiority in a certain area. Contrast ventriculography is best suited for the functional assessment of the left ventricular wall. Isotopes and CT have great potential for evaluating the myocardium properly. Echocardiography produces good visualization of atrioventricular valves and intracavitary structures. The role of contrast angiography is considered in the workup of the cardiac patient. The contrast angiogram is closely related to the coronary angiogram in the assessment of the patient with arteriosclerotic heart disease and it is still a necessity for the preoperative evaluation of the patient with congenital heart disease.     

Safety, efficacy, and indications of beta-adrenergic receptor blockade to reduce heart rate prior to coronary CT angiography

For selected indications, coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography is an established clinical technology for evaluation in patients suspected of having or known to have coronary artery disease. In coronary CT angiography, image quality is highly dependent on heart rate, with heart rate reduction to less than 60 beats per minute being important for both image quality and radiation dose reduction, especially when single-source CT scanners are used. β-Blockers are the first-line option for short-term reduction of heart rate prior to coronary CT angiography. In recent years, multiple β-blocker administration protocols with oral and/or intravenous application have been proposed. This review article provides an overview of the indications, efficacy, and safety of β-blockade protocols prior to coronary CT angiography with respect to different scanner techniques. Moreover, implications for radiation exposure and left ventricular function analysis are discussed.