Standardized medical terminology for cardiac computed tomography: a report of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

Abstract

Since the emergence of cardiac computed tomography (CT) at the turn of the 21st century, there has been an exponential growth in research and clinical development of the technique, with contributions from investigators and clinicians from varied backgrounds: physics and engineering, informatics, cardiology, and radiology. However, terminology for the field is not unified. As a consequence, there are multiple abbreviations for some terms, multiple terms for some concepts, and some concepts that lack clear definitions and/or usage. In an effort to aid the work of all those who seek to contribute to the literature, clinical practice, and investigation of the field, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography sets forth a standard set of medical terms commonly used in clinical and investigative practice of cardiac CT.