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University of Utah Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) Program Overview


University of Utah Cardiac Computer Tomography (CT) Program Overview

University of Utah cardiac CT imaging program is expanding its capability and integrating the latest breakthroughs to enhance the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The program's main campus now utilizes the state-of-the-art Siemens Somatom Force CT scanner.  The scanner uses a dual-energy, wide detector system that provides patients with higher image resolution, dramatically reduced radiation exposure, and lower scan times.

figure 1In addition to anatomic evaluation of the coronary arteries, CT-derived fractional flow reserve analysis (FFR-CT) is also offered. This FDA-approved analysis evaluates the hemodynamic flow through the entire coronary tree similar to invasive, catheter-based FFR pressure wire measurements. Combining coronary anatomy and FFR-CT analysis  accurately provides lesion-specific functional information of any coronary stenosis.

University of Utah Health is the only medical center in the state of Utah and one of very few centers in the mountain west equipped to provide FFR-CT analysis.

figure 2The program is the result of unique collaboration between the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, and the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences. A team of board-certified imaging cardiologists and subspecialized chest radiologists are working full time. The cardiovascular CT program is a part of the multicenter, international ADVANCE registry (Assessing Diagnostic Value of Non-invasive FFRCT in Coronary Care), and most recently was selected to be part of the randomized trial PRECISE (Prospective Randomized trial of the Optimal Evaluation of Cardiac Symptoms and Revascularization) which aims to identify the most effective noninvasive evaluation strategy in patients with stable symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease.

figure 3

Cardiac CT services includes:

Coronary CT angiography with selective FFR-CT analysis

Coronary calcium scan

Cardiac CT morphology for pulmonary venous mapping

Congenital cardiac CT morphology

Chest CT angiography for structural procedural planning

Patients are currently see at University Hospital, Farmington Health Center and services will soon be offered at South Jordan Health Center.

For scheduling a cardiac CT scan, please call CT scheduling at 801-581-7840.