A survey exploring specialists and radiographers' perceptions of the benefits and challenges in relation to prospectively ECG-triggered coronary CT angiography

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the opinion concerning the benefits and difficulties in performing prospectively ECG-triggered coronary CT angiography (CCTA) among specialists and radiographers. A questionnaire was distributed to 6 national health institutions in Malaysia in which, prospectively ECG-triggered CCTA was performed as a routine cardiac imaging procedure in order to explore the opinion concerning the benefits and difficulties in performing prospectively ECG-triggered CCTA among specialists and radiographers. In total, 53 responses (85%) were received, comprising specialists (21%) and radiographers (79%). The issue of heart rate was found to be the main challenge when performing CCTA and this was agreed to by the respondents. However, low agreement was achieved on the issue of an increase in the financial incentives to institutions because of prospectively ECG-triggered procedures. Although radiation dose reduction seems to be the benefit, the heart rate is seen as the main challenge in prospectively ECG-triggered CCTA.