Expert consensus of national medical research centers in the field of cardiovascular surgery and the Russian society of radiologists: principles and technology for using radiology methods in pathology of brachiocephalic vessels

In routine clinical practice, methods of radiation diagnostics are widely used in the provision of medical care to patients with common diseases of the brachiocephalic vessels (BCV). This article provides recommendations on methods for performing time-consuming and expensive radiological methods (ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), computed tomography angiography (CTA) arteries, CTA veins, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) in patients with diseases of the brachiocephalic vessels. Based on the recommendations of experts, literature sources and practical experience in the application of radiology methods. 

This guide contains structured information regarding the technology of US, CTA and MRI in patients with artery stenosis, artery dissection, vascular malformation, venous sinus thrombosis, and atherosclerosis. These recommendations are universal and are suitable for most medical institutions that perform US, CT and MRI of brachiocephalic vessels.  

Compliance with these rules will improve clinical and economic efficiency in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with diseases of the brachiocephalic vessels by standardizing procedures of US, CT, MRI, and effectively use the resources of a Healthcare at all levels when performing radiological methods.  

The manual is intended for all categories of medical stuff performing radiological methods in diseases of brachiocephalic vessels (US doctors, functional diagnostics doctors, radiologists) and using their results in clinical practice (cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, neurologists, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, therapists). 

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