Setup And Contrast; Attach Ecg Electrodes To The Patient - GE Revolution CT User Manual

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The voice instructions should be 10 seconds or longer so that the patient is breathing
slowly.
○
After you say, "take a breath in and hold it," allow 3–5 seconds of silence before you
click the [Stop] recording button. This gives the patient enough time to hold his breath
before the scan starts and for the heart rate to stabilize before the scan. This time
prevents the patient from breathing in during data acquisition, which results in image
motion.
○
Use the Preset Delay feature in AutoVoice to program an additional 1–7 seconds prior to
X-ray On, as needed for each patient.
•
The scan time for the contrast enhanced cardiac gated acquisition is approximately 1
second for a single scan location that covers the entire heart. The heart rate stabilizes 2–7
seconds after a breath hold, therefore, have the patient start the breath hold 3–5 seconds
prior to X-ray exposure. Watch the ECG waveform display so you can determine when the
patient's heart rate stabilizes within the breath hold. Adjust your breath hold instructions to
achieve as stable of a heart rate as possible during the contrast enhanced cardiac gated
scan.
•
According to your physician and site's policy, deliver 2–4 liters of oxygen via nasal cannula if
the patient has difficulty holding his breath. This can help lower the heart rate.
• Practice the breathing instructions with the patient.
2.1.4 IV setup and contrast
• To conserve CT table time, set up the patient IV line outside the scan room.
•
Explain the contrast injection and potential effects, even if the patient has had a previous
contrast injection. Reassure the patient that what he feels during the injection is normal and
to remain relaxed during the scan. An informed patient is a calm, less anxious patient.
• Have the injector loaded with contrast by a trained person authorized by your site. The total
volume and contrast strength is site dependent.
○ For single-barrel injectors: load with contrast.
○
For dual-barrel injectors: load one syringe with contrast media and one syringe with
saline.

2.2 Attach ECG electrodes to the patient

Use this procedure to attach electrodes to the patient for an ECG gated scan.
1. Bring the patient into the scan room.
2. Verify that you have a signed consent form, if needed.
3. Transfer the patient to the CT table.
○ Position the patient supine, feet first.
○
Landmark the patient at the sternal notch.
4. Review the ECG trigger device status on the gantry display.
Chapter 13 Cardiac
Revolution CT User Manual
Direction 5480385-1EN, Revision 1
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