Will helical CT replace electron beam CT in the assessment of coronary calcium?

Accurate determination of coronary calcification has, until recently, required the use of electron beam computed tomography to acquire images with sufficient time and spatial resolution. Recent technologic advances in helical computed tomography, including rapid gantry rotation, multidetector arrays, and the use of electrocardiographic gating have resulted in image acquisition which parallels that of electron beam computed tomography. Direct comparisons of these techniques have shown relative equivalence in calcium scores, and the availability of helical computed tomography suggests that this technique will result in the proliferation of coronary computed tomographic scanning.