Integrative computed tomographic imaging of coronary artery disease

Abstract

Rapid technological evolution in multislice computed tomography (CT) over the last decade with improved spatial and temporal resolution has enabled cardiac CT to become a viable and effective alternative in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Within recent years CT coronary angiography has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, and in particular a very high negative-predictive value, making it a valuable imaging modality for ruling out suspected coronary artery disease. In addition, CT angiography demonstrates accuracy in the detection and characterization of coronary plaques, and it has been reported to play an important role in predicting disease progression and cardiac events. The goal of this article is to provide an overview on the role and current clinical applications of cardiac CT in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. Emerging areas of cardiac CT, including dual-energy CT and CT myocardial perfusion are also discussed, as well as the limitations and future directions of cardiac CT.

Keywords::

• cardiac computed tomography
• coronary artery disease
• dual-energy computed tomography
• dual-source computed tomography
• myocardial perfusion computed tomography

Financial & competing interests disclosure

U Joseph Schoepf is a consultant for and receives research support from Bayer-Schering, Bracco, General Electric, Medrad and Siemens. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.