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World J Cardiol. Dec 26, 2013; 5(12): 453-458
Published online Dec 26, 2013. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v5.i12.453
Beta-blocker administration protocol for prospectively ECG-triggered coronary CT angiography
Akmal Sabarudin, Zhonghua Sun
Akmal Sabarudin, Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy Program, School of Diagnostic and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
Zhonghua Sun, Discipline of Medical Imaging, Department of Imaging and Applied Physics, Curtin University, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia
Author contributions: Sabarudin A prepared and reconstructed the manuscript; Sun Z editted the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Zhonghua Sun, Associate Professor, Discipline of Medical Imaging, Department of Imaging and Applied Physics, Curtin University, GPO Box, U1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia. z.sun@curtin.edu.au
Telephone: +61-8-92667509 Fax: +61-8-92662377
Received: July 3, 2013
Revised: September 13, 2013
Accepted: October 16, 2013
Published online: December 26, 2013
Processing time: 177 Days and 18.4 Hours
Abstract

The aim of this article is to discuss the protocol of beta-blockers that is commonly used for prospectively ECG-triggered coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). It is essential to ensure a low and regular heart rate in patients undergoing prospectively ECG-triggered CCTA for optimal visualization of coronary arteries. Although early generations of computed tomographyscanners are not applicable to be tailored according to patients’ heart rate, a low and regular heart rate is possible to be achieved by the administration of medications according to the beta-blocker protocol. Beta-blocker can be safely administered to reduce patients’ heart rate for CCTA examination if patients are screened for certain contraindications.

Keywords: Beta-blockers; Coronary computed tomography angiography; Heart rate; Prospective ECG-triggering

Core tip: This article provides the protocol of beta-blocker as guidance for prospective ECG-triggered coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). With the use of beta-blocker, patients’ heart rate can be regulated and controlled to suit the protocol of prospective ECG-triggering CCTA. We believe that this article can give an insight on the management of beta-blocker administration in the coronary computed tomography protocol.