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PubMed1999

A survey of the computer literacy of undergraduate dental students at a University Dental School in Ireland during the academic year 1997-98.

As dental practice management becomes more computer-based, the efficient functioning of the dentist will become dependent on adequate computer literacy. A survey has been carried out into the computer literacy of a cohort of 140 undergraduate dental students at a University Dental School in Ireland (years 1-5), in the academic year 1997-98. Aspects investigated by anonymous questionnaire were: (1) keyboard skills; (2) computer skills; (3) access to computer facilities; (4) software competencies and (5) use of medical library computer facilities. The students are relatively unfamiliar with basic computer hardware and software: 51.1% considered their expertise with computers as "poor"; 34.3% had taken a formal typewriting or computer keyboarding course; 7.9% had taken a formal computer course at university level and 67.2% were without access to computer facilities at their term-time residences. A majority of students had never used either word-processing, spreadsheet, or graphics programs. Programs relating to "informatics" were more popular, such as literature searching, accessing the Internet and the use of e-mail which represent the major use of the computers in the medical library. The lack of experience with computers may be addressed by including suitable computing courses at the secondary level (age 13-18 years) and/or tertiary level (FE/HE) education programmes. Such training may promote greater use of generic softwares, particularly in the library, with a more electronic-based approach to data handling.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed2001

Computational capabilities of physical systems.

In this paper strong limits on the accuracy of real-world physical computation are established. To derive these results a non-Turing machine formulation of physical computation is used. First it is proven that there cannot be a physical computer C to which one can pose any and all computational tasks concerning the physical universe. Next it is proven that no physical computer C can correctly carry out every computational task in the subset of such tasks that could potentially be posed to C. This means in particular that there cannot be a physical computer that can be assured of correctly "processing information faster than the universe does." Because this result holds independent of how or if the computer is physically coupled to the rest of the universe, it also means that there cannot exist an infallible, general-purpose observation apparatus, nor an infallible, general-purpose control apparatus. These results do not rely on systems that are infinite, and/or nonclassical, and/or obey chaotic dynamics. They also hold even if one could use an infinitely fast, infinitely dense computer, with computational powers greater than that of a Turing machine (TM). After deriving these results analogs of the TM Halting theorem are derived for the novel kind of computer considered in this paper, as are results concerning the (im)possibility of certain kinds of error-correcting codes. In addition, an analog of algorithmic information complexity, "prediction complexity," is elaborated. A task-independent bound is derived on how much the prediction complexity of a computational task can differ for two different reference universal physical computers used to solve that task. This is analogous to the "encoding" bound governing how much the algorithm information complexity of a TM calculation can differ for two reference universal TMs. It is proven that either the Hamiltonian of our universe proscribes a certain type of computation, or prediction complexity is unique (unlike algorithmic information complexity). Finally, the implications of this analysis for the issue of whether the universe "is" a computer are briefly discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Imaging of acute ischemic brain injury: the return of computed tomography.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Classical and modern computed tomography imaging techniques, including conventional computed tomography, perfusion-computed tomography and computed tomography-angiography for acute stroke are reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS: Thrombolysis has become an approved therapy for acute stroke. However, many stroke patients do not benefit from such treatment, since the presently used criteria are very restrictive, notably with respect to the accepted time-window. Even so, a significant rate of intracranial hemorrhage still occurs. Conventional cerebral computed tomography has been proposed as a selection tool for acute stroke patients. Recently, more modern computed tomography techniques, referred to as functional computed tomography or perfusion-computed tomography, have been introduced. Such perfusion-computed tomography techniques are competing favorably with diffusion-weighted/perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the delineation of the penumbra. They are more easy to perform, because they are readily available and accessible in emergency settings, and less time-consuming. Furthermore, perfusion-computed tomography combined with computed tomography-angiography affords a comprehensive non-invasive survey of acute stroke patients as early as at the time of their emergency admission, with accurate demonstration of the site of arterial occlusion and its hemodynamic and pathophysiological repercussions for the brain parenchyma. SUMMARY: A renewal of computed tomography in the field of stroke has been afforded by the introduction of functional techniques such as perfusion-computed tomography, which provides promising insights into cerebral tissue viability and can be used as a guidance tool for therapy when combined with computed tomography-angiography.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

Computer-assisted instruction: a survey on the attitudes of osteopathic medical students.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the views of osteopathic medical students on their preferred learning methods, their current use of computers as an educational tool, and their attitudes regarding the role of computers in medical education, based on their skill level. METHODS: A 27-item questionnaire was distributed to first-through fourth-year osteopathic medical students. Items asked students to assess their levels of computer skills and experience, their current use of computers as an educational tool, and their attitudes regarding the role of computers in medical education. RESULTS: Of the 246 students (80% of enrolled students) who responded to the questionnaire, a majority (129 [53%]) rated themselves as having intermediate computer skills, and the remaining students rated their skills as basic (69 [28%]) or advanced (46 [19%]). Most students (176 [72%]) felt that they learned best by both hearing and seeing or reading new material, that they learned more easily from a printed page than a computer screen, and that live lectures provided them with the best opportunity for learning. However, when compared with students who have basic and intermediate computer skills, students with advanced computer skills were more in favor of computer-assisted instruction and testing as well as a school requirement to own a computer and to use a laptop computer in class. CONCLUSIONS: Students' opinions of the importance of computer technology in medical education seem to be based mainly on their self-assessed technical competency levels. Understanding this dynamic may aid medical educators in the implementation of computer-assisted instruction.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Assessing outcomes of an academic computing initiative.

Academic computing initiatives rank high on the list of priorities of many dental schools. However, outcomes of academic computing initiatives have not been presented. The objectives of this program evaluation were to: 1) document a strategic initiative for academic computing over a five-year period; 2) assess outcomes; and 3) demonstrate how outcomes assessment changed strategic goals for the future. In 1992, Temple University School of Dentistry developed an academic computing plan. The plan proposed to develop the computer literacy of faculty, teach students the computer skills they need to be successful in their careers, and introduce computer-aided instruction as a new teaching tool. Before a new five-year plan was developed in 1997, the original plan's outcomes were summarily assessed. Assessment instruments included faculty and student surveys, budgets, inventory records, and utilization statistics. The school has reached two of three goals of the 1992 plan. Eighty percent of all full-time faculty have computers, are computer literate, and use computers for a variety of purposes. The school has implemented a comprehensive predoctoral dental informatics curriculum. However, the implementation of computer-aided instruction has not met expectations. Goals of the 1998-2003 plan include establishing an online learning infrastructure, improving student access, implementing computer-based oral health records, and further improving the computer literacy of faculty and students. Planning and supporting academic computing initiatives is a substantial challenge. Factors such as institutional culture, capital investment, ongoing support, and technological change influence plans and their success. While process and structure can be assessed relatively easily, measures for changed educational outcomes are still lacking.

Budgets↗
PubMed2003

Histogram analysis of computed tomography numbers of clinical T1 N0 M0 lung adenocarcinoma, with special reference to lymph node metastasis and tumor invasiveness.

PURPOSE: To predict lymph node metastasis and tumor invasiveness in lung adenocarcinoma from computed tomography findings, we examined computed tomography number histograms of clinical T1 N0 M0 lung adenocarcinomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Histograms of pixel computed tomography numbers were made for 100 patients with clinical T1 N0 M0 lung adenocarcinoma. Pathological tumor stages were N0 in 80 patients, N1 in 7, N2 in 9, and T4 due to intrapulmonary metastasis in 4. RESULTS: The histogram showed 3 patterns: 1 peak at a low computed tomography number (n = 18), 1 peak at a high computed tomography number (n = 54), and 2 peaks at both low and high computed tomography numbers (n = 28). Histologically, adenocarcinoma with 1 peak at a low computed tomography number showed a large area of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma-like spread with little area of solid growing tumor or central fibrosis, whereas those with 1 peak at a high computed tomography number showed a large area of solid growing tumor or central fibrosis with little bronchioloalveolar carcinoma-like spread. Adenocarcinomas with 2 peaks had both types of areas. Lymph node or pulmonary metastases were seen in none (0%) of the adenocarcinomas with 1 peak at a low computed tomography number, in 1 (4%) with 2 peaks, and in 20 (37%) with 1 peak at a high computed tomography number. The former 2 types had metastases less frequently than those with 1 peak at a high computed tomography number (P <.01). In the 79 patients with pathological T1 N0 M0, tumor involvement of the intratumoral vessels or pleura was seen in 1 of 18 (6%) adenocarcinomas with 1 peak at a low computed tomography number, which was significantly less frequent than the 18 of 34 (53%) with 1 peak at a high computed tomography number (P <.001) and 10 of 27 (37%) with 2 peaks (P <.05). CONCLUSION: Clinical T1 N0 M0 adenocarcinomas with 1 peak at a low computed tomography number on histogram seldom had lymph node metastasis or tumor involvement of vessels or pleura. Limited surgical resection could be indicated for this type of adenocarcinoma, especially for elderly patients or patients with poor pulmonary function.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2002

Exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and tetrabromobisphenol A among computer technicians.

This study investigates exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), which are used as flame retardants in electronic equipment, in a group of technicians with intense computer work. Thirteen PBDE congeners and TBBPA were quantified in serum from 19 computer technicians. Previously investigated groups of hospital cleaners with no computer experience, and clerks working full-time at computer screens were used for comparison. The computer technicians had serum concentrations of BDE-153, BDE-183 and BDE-209 that were five times higher than those reported among hospital cleaners and computer clerks. The median levels observed among the computer technicians were 4.1, 1.3, and 1.6 pmol/g lipid weight, respectively. In contrast, for BDE-47 there was no difference between the computer technicians and the others. BDE-100, BDE-203, and three structurally unidentified octa-BDEs and three nona-BDEs, were present in almost all samples from the computer technicians. Further, TBBPA was detected in 8 out of 10 samples. The levels of BDE-153, BDE-183, and one of the octa-BDEs were positively correlated with duration of computer work among technicians. On a group level an exposure gradient was observed, from the least exposed cleaners to the clerks, and to the highest exposed group of computer technicians. A dose (duration of computer work)-response relationship among computer technicians was demonstrated for some higher brominated PBDE congeners. Thus, it is evident that PBDEs used in computers and electronics, including the fully brominated BDE-209, contaminate the work environment and accumulate in the workers tissues.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Computer usage and its relationship with adolescent lifestyle in Hong Kong.

PURPOSE: To determine the patterns of computer usage among adolescents in Hong Kong and to examine whether computer usage is associated with less physical activity and social support among adolescents. METHODS: A total of 2110 secondary school students (52% boys and 48% girls) in Hong Kong completed a set of questionnaires to measure their computer usage and lifestyle. Mean age of the respondents was 14.16 years (SD = 1.81 years). Computer usage was taped by asking the students to indicate how much time (in minutes) they spent on the computer each day for doing homework assignments; playing computer games; "surfing" the Internet; and communicating with others. The students also provided information on their social-physical lifestyle. Student's t-tests and analysis of variance were used to examine group differences. Pearson product moment correlations were used to explore relationships between computer usage and lifestyle. RESULTS: Boys who use computers for doing homework, "surfing" the Internet, and communicating with others engage in more social-physical activities than others. Boys who use computers to play games tend to be more social-behaviorally inactive. For girls, patterns of computer usage are not related to lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Computer users tended to engage in social-physical activities more frequently and had higher social support than nonusers. But among computer users, the amount of time spent daily on the computer was not associated with lifestyle. Instead, patterns of computer usage are more related to lifestyle and the relationship is moderated by gender.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computer testing of memory across the adult life span.

This study was designed to investigate whether differential experience with and reactions to computers among adults of different ages impact on adult age differences in computer memory testing. Participants were 141 community-dwelling adults, aged 18 to 87. Computer experience, computer anxiety, computer attitudes, and computer self-efficacy were measured in addition to several demographic items. Participants also completed a working-memory test on a desk top computer. Age was positively correlated with computer anxiety, but was not correlated with computer attitudes. In addition, older adults had less computer experience and lower computer self-efficacy. Computer experience, anxiety, and self-efficacy significantly mediated the relationship between age and computer-tested working memory performance. The results lend support to a model of cognitive aging that emphasizes the role of ability-extraneous factors in accounting for some of the observed age-related differences in computer-tested memory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Can pre-operative computed tomography predict resectability of ovarian carcinoma at primary laparotomy?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of computed tomography in predicting whether suspected ovarian cancer could be fully excised at primary laparotomy. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of patient notes and pre-operative computed tomography scans. Setting A UK NHS cancer centre. POPULATION: Seventy-seven women who underwent laparotomy for an ovarian tumour and who had had a pre-operative computed tomography scan. METHODS: Women who had a computed tomography scan before laparotomy for an ovarian tumour were identified. Analysis was undertaken to determine the accuracy of computed tomography in predicting malignancy, stage and residual disease. The computed tomography parameters significantly associated with residual disease were determined by a chi2 analysis. These parameters, in addition to age and CA125, were used to generate a predictive model. This model was further refined by stepwise logistic regression and a clinical scoring index was generated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To identify those computed tomography parameters significantly associated with residual disease and to use these with CA125 and age to generate a useful clinical scoring index to predict residual disease in suspected ovarian cancer. RESULTS: Seventy-seven women underwent a laparotomy for an ovarian tumour and had a pre-operative computed tomography scan. Fifty-one of these women had malignant disease and twenty-five of these women had residual disease remaining. The sensitivity of computed tomography in predicting malignancy was 90% with a specificity of 85% and the overall accuracy of computed tomography for predicting stage of disease was 73% (37/51). The overall sensitivity of computed tomography in predicting residual disease was 88%, the specificity was 92% and the positive predictive value was 85%. The parameters on computed tomography that were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with residual disease were ascites, omental cake, mesenteric disease, paracolic gutter deposits, diaphragmatic deposits and pleural effusion. The predictive model generated was more accurate than computed tomography alone (sensitivity 88%, specificity 98%, positive predictive value 95%). Using stepwise logistic regression enabled the predictive model to be simplified to include mesenteric disease, omental cake, age and CA125 without any change in sensitivity or specificity and this model was used to generate a scoring index. CONCLUSION: This study shows that prediction of resectability by computed tomography is excellent and is further improved by the generation of a predictive model, which can be used to generate a simple scoring index. This scoring system now needs to be tested prospectively to ensure that its performance remains as good in an independent sample population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in physicians' computer anxiety and attitudes related to clinical information system use.

UNLABELLED: STUDY OVERVIEW: Interns' anxiety about computer use ("computer anxiety") and their attitudes toward medical computer applications were determined by a standardized questionnaire. Participants were surveyed before and after three months of differential exposure to three clinical information systems (CISs), including one with provider-entered encounters. POPULATION: Fifty-one interns completed both surveys. Their average age was 27 years. Thirty-three percent were female, 7% were African American, and 8% were foreign graduates. RESULTS: The most common previous exposures to computers were for literature searching and retrieval of patient information (both 92%). Factors that commonly emerged as predictive of anxiety about computer use included self-rated skills, typing ability, and computer attitudes. Factors predictive of attitudes toward computers included self-rated skills, typing ability, maximal frequency of prior computer use, computer ownership, and computer anxiety. Factors that were not predictive of computer anxiety or attitudes toward computers included age, gender, and physician input of data. CONCLUSION: Identification of markers for negative psychological reactions to computer use may allow development of interventions to improve acceptance of computer base patient records (CBPRs).

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Computer use by general practitioners in Scotland.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread adoption by general practitioners (GPs) of desktop computers, there has been very little evaluation of the way in which the computer is actually used during consultations and the way in which it affects patient satisfaction. AIM: To ascertain the extent to which the computer is used in the consultation and to investigate the possible relationship between computer use and patient satisfaction. METHOD: Six GPs completed a short questionnaire about the extent to which they use the computer during surgeries. Eighty-four consultations from the surgeries of these GPs were video recorded. Patient satisfaction data on these 84 patients were collected at the time of the surgery using the previously validated Consultation Satisfaction Questionnaire. RESULTS: All six GPs stated that they usually used the computer during consultations. However, video observation revealed that the computer was used in just 51% of surgeries. The proportion of time that the computer was used for varied from 0.03 to 0.4, with a mean value of 0.12. The commonest function for which the computer was used was prescribing. The consultations in which the computer was used (CU) were on average 148 seconds longer than the non-computerized consultations (NCU). There was no difference in patient satisfaction between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Despite this group of GPs having a self-declared interest in the use of computers, the extent to which the computer was used was much lower than expected from the GPs' self-reported use. This may be partly explained by the fact that using the computer takes up valuable time within the consultation and does not appear to contribute to patient satisfaction. If desktop computers are to be used to their full potential in general practice, more work is required to evaluate their impact on the consultation process itself.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Impact of virtual tumor resection and computer-assisted risk analysis on operation planning and intraoperative strategy in major hepatic resection.

HYPOTHESIS: Currently, standard planning for hepatic resection is based on the schematic description of the functional anatomy of the liver according to Couinaud, and on the evaluation of 2-dimensional computed tomographic imaging of the liver. Recent developments in image-based computer assistance allow patients' individual functional liver anatomy to be computed from mathematical analysis of standard multidetector computed tomographic scans. An intended resection can be performed virtually under realistic anatomic conditions, and the influence of different resection planes on blood supply and drainage within the remaining liver parenchyma can be calculated by a computer-assisted risk analysis. We evaluated the impact of computer-assisted risk analysis on operation planning for major hepatectomies, in particular on extent of resection or need for vascular reconstruction. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Academic tertiary care referral center. PATIENTS: Twenty-five consecutive patients admitted to the hospital for major hepatectomy, of whom 4 had tumors deemed unresectable by both methods. INTERVENTIONS: Two-dimensional computed tomography was used to calculate the volume of the future liver remnant with the intended resection line manually determined, and then the volume of the future liver remnant was calculated again by computer-assisted risk analysis as the remaining liver volume not being devascularized but having both portal venous blood supply and hepatic venous drainage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The difference between the remaining functional liver volumes calculated by the 2 methods. RESULTS: The deviation between liver volumes determined by 2-dimensional computed tomography and by computer-assisted risk analysis was less than 20% in 14 of 21 patients, between 20% and 30% in 3, between 30% and 40% in 2, and 41% and 43% in 1 patient each. The most extensive deviations were found in extended left hepatectomy or when left hepatectomy was combined with additional wedge resection in the right lobe. In 7 cases, all with a deviation greater than 20%, the results of computer-assisted risk analysis led to a change of operation planning with regard to the extent of resection (n = 3) or the need for vascular reconstruction (n = 4), although in 1 of these cases resection was not performed because of peritoneal carcinomatosis. CONCLUSIONS: Image-based computer assistance allows for areas at risk for devascularization or venous congestion to be identified and precisely calculated before resection. In selected cases with small liver remnants, operation planning may be improved substantially by preoperative computer-assisted risk analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Computer literacy and attitudes towards e-learning among first year medical students.

BACKGROUND: At the Medical University of Vienna, most information for students is available only online. In 2005, an e-learning project was initiated and there are plans to introduce a learning management system. In this study, we estimate the level of students' computer skills, the number of students having difficulty with e-learning, and the number of students opposed to e-learning. METHODS: The study was conducted in an introductory course on computer-based and web-based training (CBT/WBT). Students were asked to fill out a questionnaire online that covered a wide range of relevant attitudes and experiences. RESULTS: While the great majority of students possess sufficient computer skills and acknowledge the advantages of interactive and multimedia-enhanced learning material, a small percentage lacks basic computer skills and/or is very skeptical about e-learning. There is also a consistently significant albeit weak gender difference in available computer infrastructure and Internet access. As for student attitudes toward e-learning, we found that age, computer use, and previous exposure to computers are more important than gender. A sizable number of students, 12% of the total, make little or no use of existing e-learning offerings. CONCLUSION: Many students would benefit from a basic introduction to computers and to the relevant computer-based resources of the university. Given to the wide range of computer skills among students, a single computer course for all students would not be useful nor would it be accepted. Special measures should be taken to prevent students who lack computer skills from being disadvantaged or from developing computer-hostile attitudes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computer knowledge, attitudes, and skills of nurses in People's Hospital of Beijing Medical University.

The first Chinese Hospital Information Systems (HIS) was used as a pilot project at People's Hospital, of Beijing Medical University (BMU). To assess the computer knowledge, attitudes, and skills of nurses working in the hospital, and to examine the relationships among these factors, 169 staff nurses working on clinical units were surveyed by proportionate stratified random sampling. Computer knowledge, attitudes, and skills were measured, by a nurses' computer knowledge questionnaire (NCKQ), nurses' computer attitude scale (NCAS), and nurses' computer skill scale (NCSS), respectively, developed by the investigators. Data analysis showed that the overall computer knowledge and skills of nurses were at moderate levels and the computer attitudes were neutral. Nurses' computer skills were significantly and positively correlated with both computer knowledge and computer attitudes; however, no significant correlation was found between computer knowledge and computer attitudes. Strategies to enhance nurses' computer knowledge, attitudes, and skills were proposed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

First-year family medicine residents' use of computers: knowledge, skills and attitudes.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the computer knowledge, skills and attitudes of first-year family medicine residents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of family medicine residents during the academic year 1993-94; sampling began in July 1993 and ended in October 1993. SETTING: Canada. PARTICIPANTS: All 727 first-year family medicine residents, of whom 433 (60%) responded. OUTCOME MEASURES: Previous computer experience or training, current use, barriers to use, and comfort with and attitudes regarding computers. RESULTS: There was no difference in age or sex between the respondents and all first-year family medicine residents in Canada. French-speaking respondents from Quebec were underrepresented (p < 0.001). Only 56 respondents (13%) felt extremely or very comfortable with computer use. The most commonly cited barriers to obtaining computer training were lack of time (243 respondents [56%]) and the high cost of computers (214 [49%]) but not lack of interest (69 [16%]). Most residents wanted more computer training (367 [85%]) and felt that computer training should be a mandatory component of family medicine training programs (308 [71%]). CONCLUSIONS: Computer knowledge and skills and comfort with computer use appear low among first-year family medicine residents in Canada, and barriers to acquisition of computer knowledge are impressive. Computer training should become an integral part of family medicine training in Canada, and user-friendly applicable computer systems are needed.

Attitude to Computers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Integration of laptop computer technology into an undergraduate nursing course.

An evaluative study was done to determine the effects of laptop computer use on baccalaureate nursing students' attitudes toward computers, computer knowledge, and computer skills. Students in the experimental group (n = 20) received laptop computers and 9 hours of computer instruction. They were encouraged to use the laptop computers for e-mail, library searches, and word processing. The comparison group (n = 18) completed the same assignments in the usual manner. Students had positive attitudes toward computers both pretest and posttest with no significant increase or difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups in computer knowledge outcomes; however, the experimental group had statistically significant gains in computer skills. Results of this study suggest that the integration of laptop computer technology into the undergraduate nursing curriculum can be an effective way to increase students' computer skills while maintaining positive attitudes toward computers in nursing.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Computed tomography of the heart: evaluation of anatomy and function.

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels represent one of the most challenging problems for advanced diagnostic imaging systems. Computed tomographic scanning is potentially an ideal cardiac imaging modality since it is a cross-sectional imaging method with very high resolution. Currently available computed tomographic scanners have exposure speeds of 1 to 5 seconds, which are inadequate for the majority of cardiovascular imaging applications. Nevertheless, a variety of limited computed tomographic scanning techniques have been successfully performed in selected patient subgroups. These methods require the administration of contrast medium injected or infused into a peripheral vein, combined with either dynamic computed tomographic scanning or some form of electrocardiographic gated computed tomography. The newer conventional computed tomographic scanners can display anatomic structures in the heart and great vessels with considerable fidelity and provide not only cross-sectional displays but also, by means of computer manipulation, any selected reconstructed images in oblique, coronal or sagittal projections. Feasibility studies indicate improved accuracy of computed tomographic measurements of cardiac chamber volumes. Physiologic measurements include estimation of shunt flows and cardiac output and analysis of myocardial wall thickening. The full potential of computed tomography should be reached once fast, multiple slice, computed tomographic scanners using scanning electron beam techniques become available. The prototype CVCT (cine computed tomographic C-100 scanner) designed at the University of California, San Francisco, is now undergoing evaluation. This instrument images up to eight contiguous slices at the rate of 16 to 24 images/s. The computed tomographic scanner specifically designed for cardiac imaging should extend the utility of computed tomography in the evaluation of cardiac diseases and the study of cardiovascular physiology.

Heart↗