The following articles are recommended  reading for your rotation.  These are technique based articles designed to help you understand why we are doing what we do.  I attempted to choose well written, high yield articles what are mostly pictures.  Disease specific articles will be added to this list in the future.  You can left click on a title to open the .pdf file or right click and Save Target As to download the article to your desktop.  I recommend you read these articles before you start your rotation and come with questions.

 

CORONARY CTA

Coronary CT Angiography.  Radiology 2007; 244; 48-63.

Excellent introduction to Cardiac CTA indications, technique, and interpretation.  Best first read for cardiac CTA.

Top 10 indications for coronary CTA.  Supplement to Applied Radiology.  December 2006: 22-31.

Fast read by Stephan Achenbach, who is a leader in the field.

Artifacts in ECG-Synchronized MDCT Coronary Angiography.  AJR 2007; 189: 581-591.

Very nice discussion of common image artifacts you need to be aware of when interpreting cardiac CTA.

Triple Rule Out CT Angiography for Evaluation of Acute Chest Pain. Radiology 2009; 252: 332-345

Very nice discussion of Triple Rule Out Indications and Techniques.

CARDIAC MRI

Delayed Contrast Enhancement on MR Images of Myocardium: Past, Present, Future. Radiology 2011; 261: 358-374

Introduction to delayed myocardial enhancement imaging, or "scar" imaging with emphasis on ischemic disease 

Cardiac MR Imaging of Nonischemic Cardiomyopathies: Imaging Protocols and Spectra of Appearances. Radiology 2012; 262: 403-422

Introduction to delayed myocardial enhancement imaging, or "scar" imaging with emphasis on NON - ischemic disease 

Pericardial Disease Value of CT and MR Imaging. Radiology. 2013; 267.

Very nice review of pericardial disease and how to image it with CT and MR.

MR Imaging of Cardiac Masses and Tumors. Radiology. 2013; 268.

Nice pictures and differential diagnosis based on location and appearance. The article is NOT up to date or accurate in opinion as to which sequences are best for imaging. The basic premise of imaging is correct: find two planes where you can see the mass and get T1, T2, and pre/post contrast images.

Optimizing Cardiac MR Imaging:  Practical Remedies for Artifacts.  Radiographics 2008; 28: 1161-1187.

Useful article because it explains what we are grumbling about when we are at the scanner.  Recognizing artifacts on images is important for correct interpretation.  This article discusses all of the common and many of the uncommon artifacts and how to recognize and minimize them. 

Cardiac MR Imaging Assesment Following Tetralogy of Fallot Repair.  Radiographics 2006; 26:197-211.

The majority of our cases are post Tetralogy of Fallot repair patients.  This article explains what we are looking for on these studies.

AORTIC CTA

CT Findings Following Thoracic Aortic Surgery. Radiographics 2007; 27: 1583-1593.

Article documenting the appearance of common post operative appearances of the aorta

Ascending Thoracic Aorta Post Operative Imaging Evaluation. Radiographics 2013; 33: 73-85.

More recent article documenting the appearance of common post operative appearances of the aorta.

Complications of Aortic Valve Surgery. Radiographics 2012; 32: 1873-1892.

Recent article documenting the appearance of common post operative complications.