radiation dose

Computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography is now a widely available and reliable test accessible on basic CT platforms that can exclude coronary heart disease with confidence. It is fast, cheap and, if properly carried out by trained and accredited staff in carefully selected patients, useful information can be obtained with acceptably low radiation exposure in some cases.

We recently published a commentary on the impact of blood biomarkers in clinical decision-making. In this issue we shift to a similar contemporary debate surrounding over-reliance on imaging technologies to make diagnoses, often without a clinical rationale other than to rule out pathology. This strategy is not without harm to patients as illustrated by both of our experienced contributors.