Chest and cardiac imaging: limits of coronary CT angiography: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Chest and cardiac imaging: limits of coronary CT angiography

Sample item

Which patient factor most degrades the diagnostic quality of coronary CT angiography?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. A rapid, irregular heart rate in atrial fibrillation

Coronary arteries move quickly, so good images need a slow, regular rhythm, which is why beta-blockers are given beforehand. Atrial fibrillation causes motion and stair-step artefacts, and heavy coronary calcification also limits accuracy. A normal rate, normal kidneys and a normal build favour a good study.

Option by option

  • A. Normal renal function

    Normal renal function allows safe contrast use and does not degrade images.

  • B. A BMI of 24

    A normal BMI gives good image quality.

  • C. A heart rate of 55 beats per minute in sinus rhythm

    A slow, regular rate is the ideal condition for gated imaging.

  • D. A rapid, irregular heart rate in atrial fibrillation (correct)

    Correct. A fast or irregular rhythm causes motion and misregistration artefacts.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is D, A rapid, irregular heart rate in atrial fibrillation. Coronary arteries move quickly, so good images need a slow, regular rhythm, which is why beta-blockers are given beforehand.

Why is "Normal renal function" not the answer?

Normal renal function allows safe contrast use and does not degrade images.

Why is "A BMI of 24" not the answer?

A normal BMI gives good image quality.

Why is "A heart rate of 55 beats per minute in sinus rhythm" not the answer?

A slow, regular rate is the ideal condition for gated imaging.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest and cardiac imaging: limits of coronary CT angiography in Radiology. Atrial fibrillation causes motion and stair-step artefacts, and heavy coronary calcification also limits accuracy. A normal rate, normal kidneys and a normal build favour a good study.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Chest and cardiac imaging: limits of coronary CT angiography?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.