CCTA Resources

SCCT Guidelines for the Performance and Acquisition of Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (2016)

RCR Guidelines 2014 (UK): Standards of Practice of Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography (CTCA) in Adult Patients

Acquisition and Reconstruction Techniques for Coronary CT Angiography

How to Perform Optimal Coronary CT Angiography

Webinar: A 6 segment video by Dr. Guy Weigold sharing best practices for the acquisition of CCTA, image reconstruction, reducing artifacts, post processing techniques and interpretation of the results that lead to accurate clinical interpretation. The webinar also discusses cases that include FFR_CT results and the impact of FFR_CT in clinical decision making.

Watch Video

Instructions: In order to watch this free webinar, please create a guest account on the SCCT website. Upon completing registration, please click on SCCT Learning Center under the Education tab. The webinar will be available in your Education Library.

Impact of Nitrates in the Acquisition of Coronary CT Angiography

A 4 segment video by Dr. Jonathon Leipsic MD, FRCPC, FSCCT summarizing the rationale and best practices for administering nitroglycerin for acquiring CCTA in accordance with the SCCT guidelines. The video also highlights the effect of nitrates administration on the coronary vasculature, and ultimately the CCTA diagnostic accuracy.

Section 1: Effect on Vasculature

Section 2: Nitrate Recommendations

Section 3: Physiologic effects, Dosage and Timing

Section 4: Summary

Required

1. The ability to meet minimum quality requirements for the HeartFlow Analysis process (minimum 8/10 consecutive cases pass initial quality acceptance).
2. Willingness to participate in the HeartFlow onboarding process which includes on-site review of the institution’s CCTA program, training for imagers on HeartFlow requirements, review of CCTA best practices and SCCT guidelines for performance of CCTA.
3. At least one accredited CCTA reader (or equivalent experience of >150 cardiac CTs) – may be SCCT Level 1+ or accredited through other organizations/fellowship.
4. Access to scheduled time on the scanner for CCTA.

Suggested

1. Nurses available and experienced with administering IV beta blockers and monitoring patients for cardiac scans.
2. An SCCT level 2 accredited cardiac reader.
3. A dedicated patient preparation area for the CCTA program.

All of these resources are available to HeartFlow sites and can be customized. Please reach out to a local HeartFlow CT Application Specialist to gain access.

CCTA Technologist Training

The training provides 2.25 Category A ASRT credit hours. It reviews the current invasive and noninvasive technologies used to assess the coronary artery disease (CAD). The discussions also focus on how the growth of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) are answering patient and clinician questions more effectively than ever before.

Please contact your local HeartFlow Account Manager to schedule and customize a training.

Heart Rate Control Guidelines for Performance of CCTA

Provides guidelines on administering Beta blockers to improve CCTA acquisition. This poster can be created with site specific guidelines.

Coronary CTA Acquisition Protocols

Provides instructions and important reminders on CCTA acquisition protocols such as patient preparation, image acquisition, and image reconstruction. This poster can be created with site specific protocols and is intended to be displayed at the CT scanner console.

Presentation: Evidence on CCTA

Reviews evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of CCTA, and the impact of CCTA on patient management and outcomes. CT readers and referring physicians can utilize this tool in their pre-authorization peer to peer discussions with the medical directors of various health plans.

HeartFlow’s field-based Clinical Account and CT Applications Teams help advance the site’s CT capabilities throughout the lifetime of their account. These teams use best practices and several education and teaching methods (including hands-on case reviews and training).

Site Startup

HeartFlow’s implementation team, including CT Applications specialists and Clinical Account Managers, actively work with sites to ensure they can achieve acceptable image quality for HeartFlow Analysis. HeartFlow performs a baseline evaluation of CCTA quality and provides detailed image quality feedback and observations of site’s practices (note: this baseline review is conducted following HeartFlow’s on-site assessment and review training on best practices for CCTA and a review of the SCCT guidelines). Training and educational materials are provided to imaging physicians and radiographers on SCCT cardiac CTA guidance and image specifications for the HeartFlow Analysis. In addition, training on the use of the HeartFlow Analysis is provided to radiologists, radiographers and cardiologists, as well as other support staff.

Continuous Monitoring

HeartFlow’s CT Applications team works with customers to ensure imaging quality continues to be sufficient for HeartFlow Analysis. HeartFlow monitors quality and acquisition parameters, and routinely reviews cases and best practices with sites to optimize acceptance rates for HeartFlow Analysis.

Education Programs

In addition to site-specific education, HeartFlow sponsors educational events at large conferences, symposia, etc., and supports physician continuing education. HeartFlow offers education programs for Radiographers and Clinicians alike, including physician-led videos, webinars, peer-to-peer discussions, and instructor-led programs (including some with SOR or category A ASRT Credits).