Open AccessValue of triple rule-out CT in the emergency department
Author(s) -
Hazem Hamed Soliman
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the egyptian journal of radiology and nuclear medicine /the egyptian journal of radiology and nuclear medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.19
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 2090-4762
pISSN - 0378-603X
DOI - 10.1016/j.ejrnm.2015.03.010
Subject(s) - medicine , emergency department , radiology , computed tomographic angiography , chest pain , coronary arteries , computed tomographic , angiography , aorta , concomitant , abnormality , cardiology , artery , computed tomography , psychiatry
Background: Triple-rule-out (TRO) computed tomographic (CT) angiography is a recent technique for evaluation of the coronary arteries, aorta, pulmonary arteries, and adjacent intrathoracic structures simultaneously for patients with acute chest pain.Objectives: To assess the validity and efficacy of Triple-rule-out (TRO) computed tomographic (CT) angiography in diagnosis of different vascular causes of chest pain in the emergency department.Methods: Between April 2013 and December 2014, 40 patients presenting with non-specific acute chest pain to the emergency department performed Triple-rule-out (TRO) computed tomographic (CT) angiography utilizing a biphasic contrast injection technique. The CT angiographic images were interpreted prospectively for detection of any pulmonary, coronary or aortic vascular abnormalities.Results: The study revealed 20 cases (50%) with only coronary lesions, 5 cases (12.5%) with only pulmonary lesions, 10 cases (25%) with only aortic lesions and 3 cases (7.5%) with combined coronary/aortic lesions. 2 cases (5%) showed no significant vascular abnormality.Conclusion: An optimized TRO protocol with concomitant reduced radiation exposure and efficient contrast agent administration provides a reliable tool for evaluation of coronary, aortic and pulmonary arteries in the emergency department