Actual Dose-Reduction Strategies in Cardiac Computed Tomography

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) in cardiac examination is a powerful imaging tool that has developed rapidly during the last decade and continues to increase its potential by bringing novel technologies. Due to its noninvasive character, cardiac CT became a largely used method in detecting coronary diseases or functional issues at the expense of conventional coronary angiography. The accuracy of images has also increased, especially since new generation dual-source multi-slice detectors were developed. Although there are continuous improvements that serve to gain better-quality images, thus increasing their diagnostic accuracy, there is an inconvenient that became a serious topic for debate in the current literature: exposure to higher doses of radiation during cardiac CT examinations. Fortunately, physicians and manufacturers are taking into consideration the need to apply new strategies for radiation dose-reduction. Thus, this objective can be achieved by using patient-tailored dose-reduction strategies and by modulating the technical features of the CT scanners in order to gather high-quality images with minimal radiation exposure. The aim of this manuscript was to review the current literature data on dose-reduction strategies that are used for cardiovascular computed tomography scans.