ACR practice guideline for the performance and interpretation of cardiac computed tomography (CT)

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is an evolving modality that includes a variety of examinations to assess the anatomy and pathology of the cardiac chambers, valves, myocardium, coronary arteries and veins, pericardium, aortic root, and central great vessels. The development of multidetector CT scanners with increasing numbers of detector rows, narrow section thicknesses, increasing scanner speeds, the ability for electrocardiographic gating, and radiation dose modulation allows the performance of CT coronary arteriography. Computed tomography coronary arteriography enables the assessment of multiple types of cardiac pathology, including intraluminal coronary arterial plaque formation, coronary artery stenosis, congenital anomalies, coronary artery aneurysms, sequelae of cardiac ischemia, and the assessment of prior vascular interventions, while providing information about cardiac and valvular function. Noncardiac structures included in cardiac CT examinations must also be evaluated. This guideline attempts to maximize the probability of detecting cardiac abnormalities with cardiac CT. American College of Radiology requirements for physicians and personnel performing examinations are also addressed and will become applicable by July 1, 2008.