SUMMARY
Terri J. Vrtiska, M.D., has studied the impact and accuracy of computerized tomography (CT) imaging data on multiple systems of the body, with a primary focus on blood vessels and kidneys. Her research includes obtaining the best imaging evaluation of vascular abnormalities such as spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), vasculitis, aneurysmal disease and postoperative changes of the vascular system.
Dr. Vrtiska has also been involved with improving the display of imaging data both for clinicians and patients. Specific applications have included renal donor evaluations, renal volume and renal stone analysis by CT imaging.
Additionally, Dr. Vrtiska is working to advance the science of state-of-the-art CT imaging acquisition, including dual-energy CT scanning, high-resolution CT imaging and radiation dose reduction.
Focus areas
- Vascular disease. Dr. Vrtiska employs her expertise in radiology to study optimal imaging of a variety of vascular disorders, including aortic aneurysmal disease, SCAD, vasculitis, renal donor evaluations, postoperative vascular disease, atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial diseases. With each group of vascular disorders, her focus has been on optimizing the imaging parameters at the lowest radiation dose.
- Renal disease. Dr. Vrtiska has worked closely with research scientists to optimize CT scanning technology in differentiating stone types as well as detecting the earliest finding of renal stone disease.
- CT innovation. Dr. Vrtiska is a clinical research collaborator with the CT Clinical Innovation Center and has helped develop and translate state-of-the-art CT techniques into clinical practice, especially when applied to the vascular system and the kidneys.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Vrtiska hopes that through her research, better imaging tools will be developed to help predict the best treatment approach for vascular diseases such as SCAD, vasculitis and aneurysms. An additional goal is to improve understanding of metabolic stone disease precursors through CT characterization with optimal timing of interventions. She strives to help obtain these CT exams with optimum clarity, improved diagnostic quality and the lowest radiation dose.