Imaging the heart valves using ECG-gated 64-detector row cardiac CT

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Radiology
• Cardiac CT

Background:

• Cardiac CT is traditionally underutilized in valvular heart disease (VHD).
• Electrocardiographic (ECG)-gated CT coronary angiography provides valuable data on cardiac structure and function beyond coronary arteries.
• Non-ECG gated thoracic imaging also yields relevant information for VHD assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the clinical utility of multi-detector row cardiac CT in diagnosing and evaluating valvular heart disease.
• To discuss the interpretation of cardiac CT findings in VHD, considering pathophysiology and management.
• To provide a framework for post-processing image review in VHD using cardiac CT.

Main Methods:

• Review of current imaging modalities for VHD.
• Focus on cardiac CT interpretation, including pathophysiology and management implications for radiologists.
• Presentation of a post-processing review method with illustrative examples of normal and pathological findings.

Main Results:

• Cardiac CT demonstrates clinical value in assessing valvular heart disease, a non-traditional application.
• ECG-gated CT coronary angiography datasets offer crucial information on cardiac chamber and valvular structure and function.
• Specific imaging features on CT can be used to infer valve pathology, despite limitations in true flow quantification.

Conclusions:

• Multi-detector row cardiac CT is a valuable tool for evaluating valvular heart disease.
• Radiologists should consider cardiac CT data for comprehensive assessment of valve structure and function in VHD patients.
• Cardiac CT interpretation, guided by pathophysiology and supported by post-processing techniques, aids in VHD management.