Modern computed tomography (CT) scanners and techniques enable radiation dose optimization and low diagnostic risk for patients with congenital heart disease as well as improving the image quality. It is imperative to have a great diagnostic tool to appropriately manage patients born with congenital heart defects. The congenital heart disease population is growing exponentially as a result of management strategies and improved overall outcomes. Now there are more adults living with congenital heart disease than children. Despite the extensive and expanding use of cardiovascular CT in children and adults, there are no defined competencies or focused educational programs to promote proficiency for performance of cardiac CT in patients with congenital heart disease.
The Society of Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SPCCT) is established to fill in this education gap and play an important role to define core competencies, develop curriculum for advanced training and establish regular educational platform in congenital cardiac CT. The imagers should understand radiation dose optimization, contrast safety, injection protocols, scan performance and reporting to better serve this population. Hence, SPCCT will promote excellence in the utilization of cardiovascular CT to improve diagnostic accuracy and thus indirectly contribute to the improved management and overall outcomes in patients with congenital heart disease.
