Technical considerations for cardiac laboratory high‐definition video systems

With the expanding use of video systems in diagnostic imaging a significant benefit could be obtained by applying this technology in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Reduced radiation exposure to the patient and staff, reduced examination cost by the elimination of cine film and equipment (cameras, processors, etc), and instant replay of each injection would result in improved patient care. We discuss the technical parameters of a video system which we have found suitable for diagnostic purposes and describe how this system is used on a day‐to‐day basis. In addition, the technical aspects of higher bandwidth, higher line rate systems is presented, and we show that these more sophisticated systems provide no advantage over conventional high‐definition television and, in fact, degrade the diagnostic quality of the image.