ABSTRACT
Multislice computed tomography (CT) is a roentgen technique. The examination cannot be performed without exposure of the patient to harmful radiation. To quantify the amount of radiation of a CT examination several related parameters can be measured and calculated. The amount of radiation that the patient is subjected to during CT coronary angiography depends on the scanner type and patient characterized. With increased concerns about the potential consequences of radiation exposure, the cardiac CT community has taken efforts to reduce the radiation dose and also to define appropriate use of the technique. Effective use of the transmitted radiation depends on the scanner design. The amount of radiation needed for a CT examination depends on the roentgen absorption as the beam trasverses through the object. The radiation dose may be acceptable if another test that involves a comparable X-ray dose or different risks can be avoided.
