Advances in cardiac CT contrast injection and acquisition protocols

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Radiology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is integral to modern cardiovascular care.
• Coronary CT angiography (CTA) is the primary non-invasive method for visualizing coronary artery stenosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline factors influencing contrast enhancement in cardiac CT.
• To review current contrast injection and acquisition protocols.
• To discuss emerging applications including pre-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) planning, congenital heart disease (CHD) assessment, and myocardial CT perfusion (CTP).

Main Methods:

• Review of factors affecting contrast enhancement in cardiac CT.
• Overview of established and emerging contrast injection and acquisition protocols.
• Focus on specialized applications like TAVR planning, CHD, and CTP.

Main Results:

• Identified key factors influencing contrast enhancement in cardiac CT.
• Presented current protocols for contrast injection and image acquisition.
• Highlighted advancements in cardiac CT for TAVR, CHD, and CTP.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac CT provides anatomical, functional, and valvular assessment.
• Future improvements lie in tailoring CT scanner settings and contrast protocols to patient- and exam-specific factors.
• Optimized protocols enhance diagnostic capabilities across diverse cardiovascular conditions.