Disadvantages of cardiac CT

• main disadvantage of cardiac CT is the dose of radiation, which is dependent on the type of imaging undertaken, but is currently around the same as a conventional x-ray angiogram (4-6mSv) for a full cardiac investigation
  • dose has fallen rapidly as the technology has developed and is likely to fall still further in the future
• as with routine Xray angiography, nephrotoxic iodinated contrast agents should be used with caution in patients with impaired renal function

Reference:

• 1) British Heart Foundation Factfile (January 2010). Cardiac imaging with MRI, CT and Nuclear techniques