Advantages of a cardiac DICOM network server/writer for viewing and permanent CD-R archiving of cardiovascular X-ray angiography images

For permanent archiving digital images from the angiocardiographic laboratory are recorded on DICOM compatible recordable compact discs (CD-Rs) or stored on digital tape archiving systems. Because the CD-R is a cost-effective storage medium, CD-Rs are often used as a permanent long-term archival medium. To test the usefulness of centralized CD writing and temporary storage of DICOM image data, direct connected stand alone embedded CD-Medical recorder technology was compared (System 1) to a network DICOM image server and DICOM CD-writer (System 2). Three cardiovascular angiography X-ray systems connected to the sewer and CD-writer with DICOM network interfaces. In addition, each X-ray system was equipped with a stand alone CD-Medical recorder. The difference in recording time and storage requirements between the 2 systems was determined by 4 different representative examinations. Exam 1 (8 runs with a total of 538 images) recording time and storage space of system 1 vs. system 2: 8 vs. 6 min and 117 vs. 66 MB respectively. Exam 2 (12 runs with a fetal of 1007 images) recording lime and storage space of system 1 vs system 2: 14 vs. 8 min and 179 vs. 95 MB, respectively. Exam 3 (24 runs with a total of 1503 images) recording time and storage space of system 1 vs. system 2: 23 vs. 12 min and 283 vs. 140 MB, respectively. Exam 4 (28 runs with a total of 2401 images) recording time and storage space of system 1 vs. system 2. 28 vs. 20 min and 482 vs. 281 MB, respectively. In conclusion, the centralized recording is less time and storage intensive compared to an embedded CD-R writer. In addition, the network solution allows instant viewing of the exams from anywhere in the hospital.