Low dose dual-source CT angiography in infants with complex congenital heart disease: A randomized study

Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection in Children: Preoperative Evaluation with Low-Dose Multidetector Computed Tomographic Angiography

“…The latest technologic advances (such as scanners with a high volume of coverage) have enabled sub-mSv doses with acquisitions lasting less than 1 s. These devices can scan the entire thorax without the need for sedation and can obtain volumetric high-resolution images, even in small children who are unable to follow breathing instructions. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The effective radiation doses are similar to those for previously reported acquisitions by scanners with high volumes of coverage. In the study performed by Bonelli-Sica and colleagues 6 using 256-slice MDCT (whether with ECG-gated or non-ECG-gated protocol) in pediatric patients with anomalous PV drainage, the overall effective radiation dose was 1.01 mSv (range, 0.13-6.43 mSv), and it was 0.78 mSv (range, 0.13-4.16) in patients younger than 1 year of age.…”

“…We used a non-ECG-gated protocol in all of our patients, because coronary artery evaluation was not needed. Contrary to recently published studies [8][9][10] performed by means of high-volume-of-coverage MDCT scanners with prospectively ECG-gated protocols, our institution's ECG-gated study is reserved for those patients who need coronary artery evaluation. In patients with previously known or suspected TAPVC, who might need a large craniocaudal volume of coverage (from the base of the neck to the inferior portion of the liver), even these low-dose protocols can increase the radiation dose.…”

“…Compared with first-generation computed tomographic (CT) scanners, multidetector CT scanners-with their high volume of coverage (≥128 slices/gantry rotation)-enable faster and more accurate evaluation of the cardiac and vascular anatomy, with lower radiation exposure. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] In this study, we used high-pitch, dual-source 256-slice MDCTA to evaluate the anatomic features of TAPVC and associated cardiovascular anomalies in a pediatric population, and we report the radiation doses associated with these examinations.…”

Multimodality Imaging of Diseases of the Thoracic Aorta in Adults: From the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging

“…1,64 The latest innovations in clinical practice include electrocardiographically gated 66 aortic computed tomographic studies leading to high-quality, precise imaging of the ascending aorta, as well as simultaneous evaluation of the coronary arteries 67 ( Figure 15). Electrocardiographically gated CTA adds valuable information in the study of aortic pathology involving the aortic root and valve, 68 in congenital heart disease, 69 for simultaneous aortocoronary evaluation, 66 for planning of endovascular therapy, 68,70 for imaging of the postsurgical ascending aorta, 71 and to show dynamic changes of true luminal compression in aortic dissection. 72 The main drawbacks of CTare the use of ionizing radiation and iodinated contrast media (ICM).…”

Evaluation of High-Pitch Ungated Pediatric Cardiovascular Computed Tomography for the Assessment of Cardiac Structures in Neonates

“…It has been shown to be a useful and accurate noninvasive tool for assessing cardiovascular and pulmonary anatomy in the pediatric population. [5][6][7][8][9][10] Although echocardiography usually allows excellent acoustic windows in neonates and infants, CT has the advantage of permitting extracardiac and coronary artery anatomy assessment. 11 Compared with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, CT does not usually require anesthesia, provides higher spatial resolution, and allows consistent assessment of the coronary arteries and pulmonary anatomy.…”