What technique can be used to overcome motion artifacts in CT scans?

Cardiac gating is an effective technique used to overcome motion artifacts in CT scans, particularly in cardiac imaging. This technique synchronizes the image acquisition with the patient's cardiac cycle to capture images at specific points when the heart is in a relatively stable position. By doing so, it minimizes motion from the heartbeat, which can otherwise lead to blurring or distortion in the images.

In contrast, while shortening scan times may theoretically reduce the chance for motion, it alone does not address the inherent motion caused by the heart's movement during the scan. Decreasing scan volume might limit the area being scanned, but it does not actively reduce motion artifacts. Increasing a patient’s caffeine intake is not a recognized method for addressing motion artifacts and could potentially lead to increased anxiety or movement, worsening the situation instead of helping.