TECHNICAL PRINCIPLES AND SPECIFIC FEATURES OF PERFORMING CT EXAMINATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL HEART ANOMALIES
Keywords:
cardiac CT; neonates; congenital heart disease; radiation dose; protocol optimization; bolus tracking; test bolus; preoperative evaluation; cardiovascular anatomyAbstract
Cardiac MRI and echocardiography have traditionally been the primary imaging modalities for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD); however, modern generations of CT scanners with improved spatial and temporal resolution have significantly expanded the role of CT in this field. The imaging protocol depends on the suspected defect, previous surgical interventions, the patient’s age, and their level of cooperation, with particular emphasis on implementing radiation-dose reduction strategies in pediatric patients. A sequential segmental approach is widely used for CHD assessment, and accurate interpretation requires the radiologist to have a thorough understanding of dedicated CT protocols, the complex anatomy and morphology of CHD, as well as the surgical techniques used for congenital defect correction.
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