Why Every Radiographer Should Master Cardiac CT

The landscape of cardiovascular imaging is evolving fast. As noninvasive modalities become central to diagnosis and intervention planning, Cardiac CT (also known as coronary CT angiography, CTCA) has emerged as a cornerstone technique. In Europe alone, the number of annual submitted CT examinations in the ESCR registry rose by 4.5-fold between 2011 and 2022. Edinburgh Research

For radiographers, acquiring the skillset to proficiently perform, optimize, and troubleshoot cardiac CT is not just desirable it’s becoming essential. To meet that demand, the Cardiac CT Course for Radiographers (Live) offers a one-day, interactive, hands-on training webinar geared toward both novices and seasoned practitioners.

In this blog, we cover:

• The growth and importance of Cardiac CT in modern practice

• Key challenges & the role of radiographers in Cardiac CT

• What this live course offers (curriculum, faculty, format)

• How attending can benefit your department and your career

• Evidence, trends, and future direction

By the end, you’ll see why this course is a smart investment and how it can help you deliver better patient care and position yourself as a leader in cardiac imaging.

The Rising Demand for Cardiac CT

Explosive Growth in Cardiac Imaging

• According to the ESCR MRCT registry, submissions for cardiac CT examinations soared from ~3,368 in 2011 to ~15,267 by 2022. Edinburgh Research

• In a U.S. trends study, cardiac imaging utilization reached 764 exams per 100,000 population, indicating broad adoption in cardiology diagnostics. JACC

• CTCA is now recommended in major guidelines (e.g., NICE CG95 in the UK) as a first-line test for stable chest pain in many cases. bsci.org.uk+1

These shifts underscore that cardiac CT is no longer a niche technique: it is becoming a routine part of cardiovascular diagnostic algorithms. That means departments must scale up not just hardware, but expertise.

Workforce & Training Gaps

• The UK has roughly 228 cardiac-capable CT scanners, equating to ~4 scanners per million patients. Yet many are underused or not optimally staffed. bsci.org.uk
  
  

• The new NICE guidance demands a significant increase in CTCA volume some models estimate up to a 700% increase in scans required to meet new standards. bsci.org.uk

• Importantly, the availability of professionals trained in CTCA acquisition and reporting is limited, contributing to geographic disparities in service. bsci.org.uk+1

• Radiographers in advanced roles are increasingly being entrusted with protocols, quality control, and even report review. In one study, trained radiographers achieved high diagnostic accuracy in computed tomography colonography (CTC) interpretation—sensitivity ~100%, accuracy ~96.9%. ScienceDirect

• In UK trusts, ~95% of responding imaging departments reported employing radiographers in advanced clinical practice roles. PMC

These trends highlight a clear gap: departments need capable, confident radiographers who can help shoulder the growing cardiac CT workload.

Why Radiographers Should Be at the Core of Cardiac CT

Radiographers are uniquely positioned to influence scan quality, radiation dose, workflow efficiency, and patient safety. Here are some of the key roles and challenges they face:

1. Technical Optimization & Protocol Design

Cardiac CT is far more technically demanding than standard CTs: you must deal with ECG gating, motion artefacts, contrast timing, dose modulation, and heart rate control. Knowing how to optimize parameters (kVp, mAs, ECG gating windows, reconstruction kernels) is essential.

2. Patient Preparation & Rate Control

Controlling heart rate (often with beta blockers or ivabradine) is central to image quality. Radiographers often manage pre-scan preparation, monitoring, and sometimes even drug administration under protocol.

3. Troubleshooting & Handling Challenging Patients

High BMI, arrhythmia, high heart rate, stents, motion artefacts all these factors complicate cardiac CT. Radiographers must know mitigation techniques and modify protocols on the fly.

4. Quality Assurance, Audit & Safety

Radiation dose must be minimized without sacrificing diagnostic quality. QA programs, dose audits, phantom testing, and safety protocols (for contrast reactions, complications) are part of the radiographer’s remit.

5. Multidisciplinary Workflow & Reporting Support

Radiographers increasingly collaborate with cardiologists and radiologists. In many centers, they support reporting by pre-processing datasets, annotating, and assisting in structured workflow. In some advanced programs, radiographers assist in or even lead reporting under supervision.

Given these responsibilities, formal training becomes non-negotiable. That’s exactly where the Cardiac CT Course for Radiographers (Live) fills a gap.

Introducing the Course: Cardiac CT Course for Radiographers (Live)

Format & Interactive Approach

• Date & Time: October 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM BST

• Format: Live webinar with interactive, hands-on DICOM case sessions and real-time Q&A

• Style: Mix of didactic lectures, case discussions, and protocol workshops

• Interactivity: Attendees actively engage with image datasets, ask questions at every stage, and discuss real-world challenges

This design ensures that learning is not passive: you get practical exposure, not just slides.

Curriculum & Topics Covered

The course is thoughtfully structured to cover the full spectrum of cardiac CT, including:

• Setting up a Cardiac CT Service — workflow, equipment, infrastructure

• Indications & Limitations of Coronary CT — when to scan (and when not to)

• Scanning Parameters & Technique — gating strategies, dose modulation

• Patient Selection & Preparation

• Rate Control & Managing Complications

• Cardiac & Extra-cardiac Anatomy

• Scanning Challenging Patients — BMI, arrhythmias, stents

• Case Review: Anatomy & Pathology

• TAVI Scanning Techniques & Protocols

• Overview of Reporting Approaches

• Quality Control & Audit

Each segment integrates theoretical foundation and practical application, so you walk away not just understanding concepts but applying them.

Faculty Strength

One of the course’s major advantages is its world-class faculty:

• Dr. Syed Junaid (Consultant Radiologist, Princess of Wales Hospital)
  MBBS, BSc (Hons), AICSM, FRCR
  Known for his engaging teaching style, deep cardiac imaging knowledge, and contributions to Radiopaedia.
  
  

• Sarah Maund (Superintendent CT Radiographer, Cardiac Imaging Specialist)
  20+ years of specialized CT experience, especially in cardiac imaging and radiographer training.
  
  

• Dr. Sriranj Kannoly (Consultant Cardiologist, Cardiac CT & MRI Specialist)
  27+ years of experience, active member of British cardiovascular imaging societies, and lead trainer in CT imaging at his institution.
  
  

This trifecta ensures the course offers perspectives from radiology, cardiology, and radiography.

Accreditation & Professional Recognition

The course is accredited by The College of Radiographers UK (CoR), allowing attendees to earn CPD credits and formal recognition of their professional development.

Investment & Flexibility

• Fee: £297 (or 6 monthly payments of £49.50)

• Why this is good value: Considering the depth, faculty access, accreditation, and hands-on format, this is a highly competitive pricing.

• Capacity: Limited to maintain interactivity early enrollment is encouraged.

How This Course Benefits You & Your Department

1. Improve Diagnostic Quality & Workflow

Better-trained radiographers can reduce repeat scans, decrease motion artefacts, optimize contrast usage, and improve image consistency—all leading to higher diagnostic yield and lower patient dose.

2. Fill Workforce Gaps

As cardiac CT demand rises, your department will need more capable hands. This course helps you build a skilled workforce quickly and efficiently.

3. Boost Credibility & Department Standing

Having radiographers with formal cardiac CT expertise helps in accreditation, service expansion, and building referral confidence.

4. Career Advancement

You become more indispensable, more promotable, and more competitive. You might take on responsibilities like protocol design, QA oversight, and reporting support.

5. Networking & Community

You’ll connect with peers, share challenges, learn from real-world scenarios, and join a growing community of cardiac imaging professionals.

Evidence & Case Support: Why Formal Training Matters

• The ESCR registry data shows that radiologists carry most reporting burden (76% of CT reports). Edinburgh Research But as volume increases, non-physician team members (radiographers, technicians) must step in.

• Radiographer-led protocols in CTCA have been successfully developed and implemented in institutions, showing that with proper training, radiographers can perform high-quality CTCA scanning. ScienceDirect

• In one literature review, radiographers interpreting CT colonography had diagnostic accuracy of ~96.9% and sensitivity of 100%, illustrating the capability of radiographers to contribute meaningfully to diagnosis when properly trained. ScienceDirect

• The UK’s reliance on radiographers for advanced-level practice is already high (~95% of responding trusts) across imaging departments, reinforcing that advanced roles are both accepted and necessary. PMC
  
  

All this evidence aligns: formal, structured training is not optional it’s essential in high-stakes imaging like cardiac CT.

Tips to Get the Most Out of the Course

To ensure you gain maximum value:

1. Prepare your questions in advance – Think of challenging cases you face in your department.

2. Review basic cardiac anatomy & CT physics – A refresher helps during live case discussions.

3. Bring case datasets (if allowed) – Ask if you can submit a tricky case to discuss.

4. Engage actively – Use chat, ask faculty, take notes, and interact.

5. Plan for post-course implementation – Set up a roadmap to bring your learnings back to your department (protocol changes, QA schedule, peer training).

How to Enroll & Next Steps

To secure your place:

• Visit: Radiology Seminars – Cardiac CT Course for Radiographers (Live)

• Fee: £297 or 6 monthly payments of £49.50

• Seats: Limited to preserve interactivity

• Offer: Enroll early, perhaps with departmental backing or group discounts

A short sample call-to-action might read:

Elevate your cardiac CT skills, support your department, and stay ahead in imaging practice. Book your spot now and transform your career.

In an era where noninvasive cardiac imaging is rapidly expanding, cardiac CT has moved from a “nice to have” to a core pillar in cardiovascular diagnostics. Radiographers are central to this transition they are the ones who set up protocols, manage patients, troubleshoot scans, and support reporting workflows. But to do this, they must be well-trained, confident, and up to date.

The Cardiac CT Course for Radiographers (Live) offers precisely that: a structured, interactive, hands-on learning experience led by expert faculty, accredited by the College of Radiographers, and priced to be accessible. By investing in this course, you not only enhance your own skillset you strengthen your department’s capacity, service quality, and reputation.

Date: October 25, 2025, 9:00 AM BST
Format: Live Webinar (Interactive + Hands-On Cases)
Price: £297 (or 6 monthly payments of £49.50)
Accredited by: The College of Radiographers UK (CoR)

Don’t let your department lag behind future-proof your skills and make your mark in cardiac imaging. Register today