Implementation of cardiac computed tomography in everyday practice
Gianluca Pontone, Giovanni Benfari, Ruxandra Christodorescu, Marc Ferrini, Ahmed Kharabish, Sarah Moharem-Elgamal, Jose’ Palomares, Alexia Rossi, Filipa Xavier Valente, Stefano NistriAbstract
Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) plays an established role in the assessment of cardiac patients. In this document, the aim is to demonstrate and clarify the role of CCT in the clinical management of heart disease. This document will cover the clinical indications, prognostic values, and limitations of CCT in the diagnosis and follow-up of heart disease, including ischaemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies, cardiac masses, large vessel disease, and adult congenital heart disease. It will provide a basic knowledge of CCT technology and scan protocols. Continuous improvements in CCT technology and reduced radiation exposure will further enhance its clinical utility. Therefore, this document outlines the technical principles of CCT and its use in everyday clinical practice for cardiologists who are not experts in CCT.