Non-Coronary Applications of Cardiac Computed Tomography

pp 281-291

Abstract

Multi-detector row computed tomography coronary angiography (MDCT-CA) has been incorporated in the diagnostic algorithm of patients with suspected coronary artery disease due to its significant negative predictive value. In addiction, volume acquisition and ECG-cardiac gating allow submillimeter reconstructions in all possible angles at different time positions within the cardiac cycle. This produces a favorable scenario for the morphological and functional evaluation, and opens the possibility of using this technique in other territories; most of them can be evaluated during the study of the coronary arteries without requiring additional contrast agents or radiation. The capability of the method for the simultaneous evaluation or morphology and function allows a comprehensive approach of wide scope of conditions within the same study.