Establishing a successful coronary CT angiography program in the emergency department: Official writing of the Fellow and Resident Leaders of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (FiRST)

Christopher D. Maroules, Michael J. Blaha, Mohamed A. El-Haddad, Maros Ferencik, Ricardo C. Cury

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Coronary CT angiography is an effective, evidence-based strategy for evaluating acute chest pain in the emergency department for patients at low-to-intermediate risk of acute coronary syndrome. Recent multicenter trials have reported that coronary CT angiography is safe, reduces time to diagnosis, facilitates discharge, and may lower overall cost compared with routine care. Herein, we provide a 10-step approach for establishing a successful coronary CT angiography program in the emergency department. The importance of strategic planning and multidisciplinary collaboration is emphasized. Patient selection and preparation guidelines for coronary CT angiography are reviewed with straightforward protocols that can be adapted and modified to clinical sites, depending on available cardiac imaging capabilities. Technical parameters and patient-specific modifications are also highlighted to maximize the likelihood of diagnostic quality examinations. Practical suggestions for quality control, process monitoring, and standardized reporting are reviewed. Finally, the role of a "triple rule-out" protocol is featured in the context of acute chest pain evaluation in the emergency department.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)150-156
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
Volume7
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Acute chest pain triage
  • Coronary CT angiography

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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