Indications, imaging technique, and reading of cardiac computed tomography: survey of clinical practice

To obtain an overview of the current clinical practice of cardiac computed tomography (CT). A 32-item questionnaire was mailed to a total of 750 providers of cardiac CT in 57 countries. A total of 169 questionnaires from 38 countries were available for analysis (23%). Most CT systems used (94%, 207/221) were of the latest generation (64-row or dual-source CT). The most common indications for cardiac CT was exclusion of coronary artery disease (97%, 164/169). Most centres used beta blockade (91%, 151/166) and sublingual nitroglycerine (80%, 134/168). A median slice thickness of 0.625 mm with a 0.5-mm increment and an 18-cm reconstruction field of view was used. Interpretation was most often done using source images in orthogonal planes (92%, 155/169). Ninety percent of sites routinely evaluate extracardiac structures on a large (70%) or cardiac field of view (20%). Radiology sites were significantly more interested in jointly performing cardiac CT together with cardiology than cardiologists. The mean examination time was 18.6 +/- 8.4 min, and reading took on average 28.7 +/- 17.8 min. Cardiac CT has rapidly become established in clinical practice, and there is emerging consensus regarding indications, conduct of the acquisition, and reading. Key Points aEuro cent Cardiac CT has now become a routine clinical procedure aEuro cent Over 90% of cardiac CTs performed use at least 64 row or dual-source CT. aEuro cent Radiologists are significantly more interested in performing cardiac CT together with cardiologists than vice versa. aEuro cent Consensus has been reached on accepted indications for referral aEuro cent Agreed technical standards are used by most cardiac CT providers.