Assessing cardiac CT: advantages & current limitations. Part I: technical advancements & considerations
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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
Michael O Barry1, Pamela K Woodard, Ibrahim M Saeed
1Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA.
Abstract:
The media's frenzy towards the imaging capabilities of 64-slice cardiac computed tomography (CCT) is not without cause. ECG-gating and improved resolution allow non-invasive visualization of the coronary arteries, coronary artery bypass grafts, and the presence of atherosclerosis. However, clinicians should understand CCT image acquisition process and the current CCT limitations. Those limitations include poor image quality with the morbidly obese, coronary artery motion on images of those with irregular and/or fast heart rates, potential intravenous contrast related complications, and high radiation exposure. As CT technology evolves, with faster acquisition and higher resolution, it is paramount for clinicians to understand the applications and limitations of this imaging method.
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