Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Clinical results are rolling in regarding the performance of 64-slice CT scanners for cardiac imaging. The technology is demonstrating its value in applications that have traditionally been difficult for less-powerful CT systems -- such as imaging of the coronary arteries.
In this week's AuntMinnieTV segment, we examine research presented at the 2005 European Congress of Radiology that compared 64-slice CT to the current gold standard for cardiac imaging, coronary angiography. A group from the University of Munich in Germany wanted to determine whether CT angiography could replace more invasive x-ray angiography for determining the extent of coronary artery disease.
The group found that 64-slice CT performed well in the coronaries, with researchers able to visualize 90% of all vessels with the technology. They also witnessed good performance in the visualization of stents.
There were some areas where 64-slice CT could use some improvement, however, and radiation dose remains something to take into account. Read all about the study by clicking here.
Other AuntMinnieTV segments, from the ECR and RSNA shows, are available on the AuntMinnieTV home page, at tv.auntminnie.com.
