Course description

Advanced Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT)

This course, developed by the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Hong Kong in collaboration with committee members of international and national cardiac imaging societies, is for radiologists, cardiologists, radiographers/ technologists and other health professionals who want to learn more about this imaging modality. The course follows the level 1 recommendations of cardiac imaging societies by covering the required topics and providing 50 hands-on cardiac CT cases. Previous experience in cardiac CT is not required.

Learning outcomes:

Understanding of the common cardiac CT examinations in order to better understand how to acquire cardiac images and to interpret them.
Ability to analyse cardiac CT images at level 1 competency such as calcium score, CT coronary angiography, TAVI.
Attain hands-on experience to analyse real cases from a database of 50 clinical cases, using dedicated software, as well as further supplementation through our web forum.
Basic understanding of future developments in the cardiac CT field.
Provide career advice and thoughts from well-known experts through exclusive interviews.

A MOOC on cardiovascular magnetic resonance will be available on this platform in the near future. Watch this space!

Upcoming start dates

1 start date available

Start anytime

Self-Paced Online
Online
English

Suitability - Who should attend?

Prerequisites:

This course targets mainly radiologists, cardiologists, and health professionals who are interested in learning Cardiac CT. Previous experience in cardiac CT is not required, though medical background or education would be helpful.

Outcome / Qualification etc.

What you'll learn

Cardiac anatomy as seen on CT.
Different types of cardiac CT examinations and their roles such as calcium score, CT coronary angiogram, CT pulmonary veins and TAVI.
How to interpret cardiac CT examinations and CT angiography.
How to acquire images at the scanner whilst reducing radiation dose and to do image post-processing for analysis.
More advanced utilization of cardiac CT in coronary artery disease, such as ventricular function and CT FFR.
Understanding and experience using dedicated software to interpret cardiac images, through our web forum.
Heart anatomy seen on CT.
Different types of cardiac CT examinations and their applications, such as in calcium scoring, CT coronary angiography, CT pulmonary veins and TAVI.
How to interpret cardiac CT examination and CT angiography examination.
How to scan images while reducing radiation dose and how to post-process images and analyze the results.
The more advanced utilization of cardiac CT in coronary artery disease, such as ventricular function and CT FFR.
Learn and experience how to interpret cardiac images using dedicated software through webinars and forums.

Training Course Content

Week 1: Anatomy and common types of Cardiac CT

This MOOC will begin with a course on cardiac anatomy and common cardiac CT examinations (e.g calcium score, CT coronary angiogram, pulmonary vein CT and TAVI). You will also learn basics on contrasts agents.

Week 2: Role, Analysis & Reporting of Cardiac CT

In this section, we will teach you the role of calcium score, CT coronary angiogram, CT pulmonary veins and TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) and how to interpret those examinations. We will also explain the role and analysis of CT for planning atrial fibrillation therapy.

Week 3: Technology, Image Production and Post Processing

This section will cover the principles of image production at the scanner (e.g physics, adapted protocols, radiation exposure). You will also learn image post-processing for analysis.

Week 4: Specialized Utilization of CT

In the last section, we will introduce you to more advanced utilizations of cardiac CT (e.g Ventricular function, CT FFR, myocardial perfusion, spectral CT) and future developments in cardiac CT.

You will also have the opportunity to practice on clinical cases and discuss this through our web forum every week.

Week 1: Anatomy and Types of Cardiac CT

This MOOC will start with cardiac anatomy and common cardiac CT exams such as calcium scoring, CT coronary angiography, pulmonary vein CT and TAVI. We will also learn the basics of contrast media.

Week 2: The Role, Analysis and Reporting of Cardiac CT

In this session, we will teach you the role of Cardiac CT in Calcification Scoring, CT Coronary Angiography, CT Pulmonary Vein and TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) and how to understand it test result. We will also discuss the role of CT in guiding the management of atrial fibrillation.

Week 3: Techniques, Contrast, Image Production and Post-processing

This section will cover principles of image acquisition with scanners (e.g. physics, changing scanning techniques, radiation exposure). You'll also learn what post-processing images are for analysis.

Week 4: Specialized Applications of CT

In the last class, we will introduce you to more advanced applications of cardiac CT (such as ventricular function, CT FFR, myocardial perfusion, spectral CT) and the future development of cardiac CT.

You will also have the opportunity to practice clinical cases and discuss them weekly through our web forum.